American Biogas Council Reports Wastewater Plants Can Generate More Renewable Energy

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 28, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The American Biogas Council has released a comprehensive report on the state of anaerobic digestion at U.S. wastewater facilities, revealing significant opportunities for expanding renewable energy production and managing organic waste more effectively. This 18-month study, which included more than 33,000 calls and 3,271 conversations with facility managers and operators, identified 1,213 wastewater resource recovery facilities using anaerobic digestion, representing about 24% of the roughly 5,000 facilities surveyed that treat at least one million gallons of wastewater per day.

The report provides new data on the distribution and utilization of biogas across the country. More than 75% of facilities treating more than 30 million gallons per day use anaerobic digestion, while about 50% of facilities treating between 5 and 30 million gallons per day do the same. Interestingly, 103 facilities with digesters treat less than one million gallons per day, representing nearly 9% of all wastewater facilities with digesters. The earliest facility identified by the survey began operating in New York in 1914, highlighting the long-standing use of this technology.

Currently, anaerobic digestion facilities capture about 100.8 billion cubic feet of biogas annually, enough to generate electricity for approximately 1.1 million U.S. homes. Over 80% of the biogas produced is used on-site, with 55% being used to generate electricity or combined heat and power, and another 26% used for heat. The report also identifies the potential to capture an additional 70 billion cubic feet of biogas annually, bringing the total to nearly 172 billion cubic feet, which could generate electricity for about 1.9 million homes.

Co-digestion, the practice of adding organic material from outside sources to wastewater solids in an existing digester, offers a promising way to convert more waste into renewable energy. Today, 139 wastewater facilities accept outside organic material, including food waste and fats, oils, and grease, putting some of the 24 million tons of food waste currently landfilled each year to productive use.

This report underscores the potential for wastewater facilities to play a significant role in the production of renewable energy and the management of organic waste. With the right investments and policies, these facilities can contribute substantially to the nation's energy needs and environmental sustainability goals.