A Vermont brewery is planning to power its operations using methane gas from cow manure.

In an Earth Day announcement, the Long-Trail Brewing Company said it plans to sign a contract to become the largest commercial customer of Central Vermont Public Service's "Cow-Power" program. In it, the power company works with farmers to install electricity generating equipment that uses methane gas that's given off by the manure.

Customers pay a 4-cent-per-kilowatt-hour premium for the so-called Cow Power. The premium helps farmers pay for the equipment.

The brewing company said enrolling in Cow Power is part of its Eco Brew program that includes the use of heat recovery, bio-diesel, recycling and water conservation. It says it also sends eight tons of mash -- a byproduct of the brewing process -- to local farms every day. Farmers use it to feed their cows.