The聽American Biogas Council (ABC) announced that it has certified聽26聽additional anaerobic digester operators who passed the organization鈥檚 rigorous Operator Certification exam. This latest round of certifications nearly doubles the number of Certified Digester Operators and strengthens U.S. biogas industry workforce.
Certified Digester Operators ensure the safe and efficient performance of聽anaerobic digesters, which capture biogas from organic materials like manure, food waste, and wastewater solids as they break down. Biogas can be used to power and heat homes, fuel vehicles, and generate electricity. In addition, the process creates a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic soil additives.
The ABC鈥檚 Operator Certification is the only training and certification program of its kind in North America. Created and taught by a world-class team of instructors from both industry and academia, the curricula and test are designed to build and ensure operator skills and prepare them for safe and successful careers in the biogas industry.
The certification exam is preceded by a 40鈥揾our Operator School training run by the ABC, proof of at least 2,000 hours of experience in an operations-related role, and OSHA safety certification. 鈥淎naerobic digesters are the key to converting the millions of tons of organic waste our society produces each year,鈥� said聽ABC Executive Director Patrick Serfass.鈥淎s the U.S. biogas industry recycles this material through more than 2,500 operational biogas systems in the US, it is important to us that we are helping the workforce to consistently elevate its knowledge and performance. This allows the systems to operate at peak efficiency and safety. The more organic waste recycling we can do, the more American-made energy and natural fertilizer we produce.鈥�
鈥淭he ABC Digester Operator School is an outstanding program,鈥� said聽Gary Whittaker, Regional Operation Manager for DTE Vantage, who took the course in July. 鈥淚t equips operators, managers, and support staff with a solid understanding of basic digester operations. It鈥檚 an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their skills and contribute to safer, more efficient biogas facilities. I highly recommend it to anyone involved in digester operations.鈥�
This year, digester operators from Aligned Digesters, Bartlett & West, BerQ RNG, BTS Bioenergy, Calgren Renewable Fuels, DTE Vantage Biomass, Grand Rapids Water Resource Recovery Facility, Meriki Consulting, New Carbon Energy, Riverview, LLP, Seaboard Energy, Simmons Foods, Sustain RNG, Trinity River Authority of Texas, University Area Joint Authority (UAJA), U.S. Energy, and Vanguard Renewables earned the Certified Operator designation.
The next Operator School course will be taught via twice-per-week webinar classes. Sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in February 2026.