A microbrewery in Alaska has a new-- and innovative-- source of energy to use in its factory — beer. The Alaskan Brewing Company spent more than $1.8 million on a boiler that uses grain waste as fuel. According to a recent Alaskan Brewing Company press release, the new boiler uses the “spent grain” left over from the brewing process as its only source of fuel. Anchorage Daily News reports the company used to dry and ship spent grain to the continental United States, where it was used as cattle feed. The new method should reduce both costs and fuel emissions. Alaskan Brewing Co-founder Geoff Larson says “... Reducing our energy use makes good business sense, and good sense for this beautiful place” According to KTOO, the change has led to a 70 percent cut in oil consumption on the brewery. The United States Department of Agriculture helped fund this project with a Rural Energy for America Program grant of almost $450,000. Alaska Rural Development State Director Jim Nordlund says that the department of agriculture was happy to contribute to the project. “... Renewable energy is one of the integral components to Alaska’s future.   The new steam boiler at ABC is a great example of a forward-thinking approach to harnessing a new fuel source. While using spent grain as fuel is an industry first, many microbreweries are also increasing sustainability. In addition to energy conservation techniques, many companies generate solar energy onsite or purchase wind energy. Alaskan officials expect the new furnace to reduce their brewhouse fuel needs by nearly 1.5 million gallons of oil throughout the next 10 years.