WASHINGTON – November 13, 2025 – The American Biogas Council (ABC) announced today that it has certified 26 additional anaerobic digester operators who passed the organization’s rigorous Operator Certification exam. This latest round of certifications nearly doubles the number of Certified Digester Operators and strengthens the U.S. biogas industry workforce.
Certified Digester Operators ensure the safe and efficient performance of 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’s 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–hour 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.
“Anaerobic digesters are the key to converting the millions of tons of organic waste our society produces each year,” said ABC Executive Director Patrick Serfass. “As the U.S. biogas industry recycles this material through more than 2,500 operational biogas systems in the U.S., 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.”
“The ABC Digester Operator School is an outstanding program,” said Gary Whittaker, Regional Operation Manager fo
r DTE Vantage, who took the course in July. “It equips operators, managers, and support staff with a solid understanding of basic digester operations. It’s 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.”
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. Operators may find details and register via this page on the ABC’s website.
For more information on the ABC’s Anaerobic Digester Operator Certification Program or to learn how to participate, visit https://americanbiogascouncil.org/operator-training/.
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