Xcel Energy has found a new source of natural gas in Colorado: cows.

Twin Cities Business magazine has an interesting item about Xcel’s new 10-year agreement with a company called Microgy Inc.

Microgy will supply Xcel with methane gas from a yet-to-be-built facility that will break down animal waste from area dairy farms to create methane.

The methane will cost more than natural gas, but it will help the company comply with its goals under Colorado’s renewable energy mandate.