Idaho Dairy Farm Turns Cow Manure Into Clean Fuel

What was once just waste is now powering thousands of vehicles across the American West, thanks to an innovative dairy farm in Jerome, Idaho.

Clean Energy Fuels just launched renewable natural gas production at East Valley Cattle dairy farm, their eighth operational dairy energy site. The facility processes over 5 million gallons of manure daily from more than 35,000 cows, turning it into clean fuel through six massive anaerobic digesters.

The natural gas produced on site flows directly into interstate pipelines, fueling trucks and vehicles across the region with renewable energy. Instead of methane from manure polluting the atmosphere, it's now replacing fossil fuels on highways.

What happens to the leftover waste after energy production? It becomes fertilizer right back on the farm, creating a complete circle where nothing goes to waste. This closed loop system supports farm operations while cleaning up the environment.

The Ripple Effect

This Idaho project represents a nationwide movement that's accelerating fast. In just four years, American dairy farms with these digester systems jumped from 221 to 471, more than doubling across the country.

The timing matters because two-thirds of U.S. dairy cows live in just eight states, including Idaho, California and Wisconsin. Each of these farms produces methane that could become clean fuel instead of a greenhouse gas.

The East Valley facility earned approval from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Renewable Fuel Standard program in early 2026. It's backed by a partnership between Clean Energy and BP, showing how traditional energy companies are investing in renewable solutions.

The scale of this single farm makes it one of the largest dairy renewable energy operations in North America. That means massive amounts of methane that would have entered the atmosphere are now replacing diesel and gasoline.

Dairy farmers across America are proving they can raise cows, produce milk, generate clean energy and fertilize crops all from the same operation. What once seemed like a waste problem is now an energy solution spreading from farm to farm.