SEAFORD, Del. - The chicken industry is a staple on Delmarva, and just like any industry, those birds produce waste. A proposal in Sussex County is aiming to transform that organic material... into energy.
The proposal would put something called an anaerobic digester in Seaford, operated by the company Bioenergy Devco. That digester would go in the Bioenergy Innovation Center off of Seaford Rd.
The company says it takes organics and processes it into natural gas.
But that gas, and the trucks that carry it, are concerning to some who oppose the project.
The Delmarva Chicken Association says an opportunity to create renewable energy like this is a win-win.
Executive Director Holly Porter said, "This is just one more opportunity to take some of that litter, to take some of that waste that may come form the processing side, and put it back into recycled use."
But opposers to the project say the trucks that would come in and out of the facility are a big concern.
Dustyn Thompson from Sierra Club Delaware Chapter said, "There have been issues with these trucks, because natural gas has such a low ignition temperature, just even the breaks, a slight leak in the tank and the heat of the breaks has been enough to ignite some of these trucks in areas in the United States."
Claire Simmers says dealing with chicken materials and waste is important, but feels this project is rushed.
"I understand that chicken daf is a problem, and that it needs to be disposed of correctly. I'm 100% sure this is not the answer, to do it in such a rushed way without having proper controls and proper follow through," Simmers said.
But Delmarva Chicken Association says this project has been in the works for quite some time.
Bioenergy Devco said in a statement that the facility would be monitored continuously, and that the company is committed to protecting Sussex County's water, soil, and air quality.
The proposal is still awaiting an approval vote from Sussex County Council, which is expected to be on the agenda soon.
