NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Long-Trail Brewing Co. on Tuesday signed a contract to become the largest commercial customer of Cow Power, a program that produces electricity from cow manure.

In its Earth Day announcement, the craft beer company said it would buy a quarter of its electricity from Central Vermont Public Service Corp.'s Cow Power, expanding on its environmentally conscious business and brewing strategies.

"We actively seek ways to reduce the impact Long Trail has on its local surroundings," said Long Trail president Brian Walsh. "We believe CVPS Cow Power provides great environmental benefits while creating much needed opportunities for Vermont farm owners."

In the Cow Power program, CVPS works with farmers to install special equipment that uses methane gas that's given off by manure to generate electricity.

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

By paying the premium, Long Trail will raise its electricity costs by about $10,000 a year, said spokesman Seth Wyman.

But officials say it's worth it.

Long Trail's Cow Power purchases will have an environmental impact equivalent to taking 106 cars off the road," said CVPS President Bob Young in a written statement. "Their commitment will be the equivalent to capturing the CO2 emissions from burning 65,834 gallons of gasoline annually."

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On the Net:

Long Trail Brewing Co.: http://www.longtrail.com

CVPS Cow Power: http://www.cvps.com/cowpower