The American biogas industry is entering a historic growth phase, fueled by surging demand for reliable energy, the need to reduce waste, and a massive pipeline of untapped development opportunities across all 50 states, according to new data released by the American Biogas Council (ABC) at its annual BIOGAS AMERICAS trade show and conference.
The numbers 鈥� which tally potential biogas projects in each state and represent the most comprehensive collection to date 鈥� show that with nearly 2,500 operational biogas systems already in place and an estimated 17,000 additional projects ready for deployment, the U.S. stands on the brink of a transformation where food waste, sewage, manure and other organics are optimized for clean energy rather than landfilled.
Last year, 125 new projects came online, totaling听$3 billion听in capital expenditures. 鈥淏iogas is no longer a niche technology 鈥� it鈥檚 spreading economic growth nationwide across the energy, waste and agriculture sectors,鈥� ABC Executive Director Patrick Serfass said at the conference, held this year in Denver. 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing record investment and record momentum, and we鈥檙e just getting started.鈥�
Despite this progress 鈥� and biogas systems operating in all 50 states 鈥� the U.S. has only scratched the surface of its biogas potential. Just听14.7%听of all potential biogas facilities have been built. Additionally, the ABC highlighted new polling data at BIOGAS AMERICAS that demonstrates broad interest by American voters in energy solutions that reduce waste and produce reliable, renewable power among a variety of national issues.听听
The industry鈥檚 momentum was on display at this year鈥檚 conference, which featured 350 exhibits, 2,200 participants, breaking attendance records for the fourth year in a row.听Currently, the U.S. biogas market is a听$37.6 billion听industry 鈥� and growing at the fastest rate in its history. The U.S. is home to approximately:听
- 609 anaerobic digesters on farms;
- 1,180 water resource recovery facilities using digesters;
- 113 stand-alone food waste systems; and
- 583 landfill gas capture projects.
The industry鈥檚 growth potential is听500%听greater, including:
- 11,200 livestock farms;
- 3,750 additional water resource recovery facilities;
- 1,370 food scrap-only systems; and
- 730 landfills with gas collection opportunities.
If fully realized, these new systems could:
- Generate 194 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually; or
- 718 billion cubic feet (bcf) per year of biogas.
Plus: Offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 2.6 million cars from the road
- Unlock $450 billion in capital investment;
- Create 900,000 short-term construction jobs; and
- Deliver 45,000 permanent operations jobs.
Indirect benefits to manufacturers, suppliers, and rural communities would be even greater. Unlike intermittent renewables, biogas provides 24/7 clean, firm power and can be used to produce electricity, pipeline-grade renewable natural gas (RNG) and vehicle fuel. It recycles organic waste into valuable energy and fertilizer, supports sustainable agriculture, and strengthens local economies.
Serfass cited the new polling data which shows that U.S. voters鈥� perception of the industry increases from听37% favorability to听86%听after just learning what biogas is. The national poll, commissioned this month by the American Biogas Council, also shows broad voter concern that politicians are neglecting the American farming and renewable energy sectors.听
鈥淏iogas checks the boxes for sustainability, reliability, and economic growth, and the more Americans learn about biogas, the more they like what they hear,鈥� Serfass said. 鈥漈he future of American energy is clean, local, and circular.鈥�