(NECN: Jack Thurston, Rutland, Vt.) - Green Mountain Power hopes a new, talking animatronic cow will get the utility more attention for its renewable energy program dubbed "Cow Power." The initiative now includes 16 dairy farms that invested in power-generating machinery on their properties.
That equipment captures methane gas from manure and converts it into enough electricity for 3,000 homes, explained Dave Dunn of Green Mountain Power.
Customers pay extra on their power bills, backing the farmers whose systems produce the renewable energy. In the mascot's recorded messages, the cow refers to herself as "a four-legged power plant," and says "I'm pooping seven days a week, night and day, come rain or come shine."
170 children from around Vermont suggested names for the mascot, which is housed at GMP's Energy Innovation Center in Rutland. Jared McGee, a student at the West Rutland Elementary School, and Dillon Brigham, who attends the Danville School, both told the utility the cow should be named Electra. The name reminded both boys about electricity, they told GMP.
"People, maybe in concept, realize we're making power on a farm, but this shows you the source of the fuel," Dunn said of the display.
Dunn said the company hopes Electra helps attract more customers to pay a premium for the renewable energy. Dunn said he is confident the display will also start conversations about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"It gets people to think, 'What else might be possible?'" Dunn said.
