BIOGAS AMERICAS showcases how one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. is creating U.S.-based solutions addressing the energy crisis and climate change
LAS VEGAS – (May 24, 2022) – The four-day 2022 BIOGAS AMERICAS conference that kicked off today at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas is set to be the largest event yet for the U.S. biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industry, with more than 1,000 attendees. Running May 23-26, the annual conference and tradeshow is presented by the American Biogas Council (ABC) and provides an opportunity to meet and network with hundreds of like-minded leaders and decision makers across the industry.
“The biogas industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of any kind in the U.S. with growth last year of 40-50%,” said Patrick Serfass, executive director of ABC. “The size of this year’s BIOGAS AMERICAS event reflects that rapid growth, driven by the dual need for domestic renewable energy and an increased interest identifying in solutions to combat climate change.”
Biogas systems recycle waste while also producing renewable energy and soil products that displace fossil fuels. Russia’s war in Ukraine has led to restrained gas supplies in Europe, causing gas and fertilizer prices to skyrocket. Biogas can play a critical role in abating reliance on foreign sources, creating a domestic, fossil-free source of RNG as well as non-chemical fertilizer and soil amendments, since most nitrogen fertilizer is made using natural gas to extract nitrogen from the air.
Biogas systems are also one of the most effective solutions for waste management. They protect air, water, and soil by recycling organic material, like food waste and manure, into renewable energy and soil products while also reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the digested material from biogas systems has been shown to boost crop yields up to 10-30% compared to chemical fertilizers.
“Biogas systems do something most other renewable electricity and natural gas sources cannot – recycle the massive volumes of food waste in this country, which make up 30-40 percent of all garbage in the U.S. as well as other organic wastes from farms and water treatment facilities,” said Serfass.
BIOGAS AMERICAS unites project developers, equipment suppliers, service providers, operators, investors, utilities, policymakers, and anyone whose success depends on the growth and profitability of biogas as a resource. Robust programming will include conversations around biogas opportunities in agriculture, monetizing dairy sustainability, food waste, renewable natural gas, policy issues and more.
A sampling of the top speaking organizations include: Generate Capital, National Pork Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, WM (Waste Management), Chevron, several utilities like National Grid and SoCalGas, Newtrient, Generate Capital, Trillium Energy, Archaea Energy, Clean Energy, Montrose Environmental Group and many more plus Nevada State Senator Dr. Pat Spearman. See the full event program here. You can also register at that link to attend virtually.
Today, the U.S. has 2,300 sites producing biogas in all 50 states. This includes more than 300 farms, 1,200 water resource recovery facilities, 66 stand-alone systems that digest food scraps and nearly 650 landfills. The U.S. currently has the potential to build more than 15,000 new biogas systems, which would create significant economic, environmental and energy benefits.
About the American Biogas Council
The American Biogas Council is the only national trade association representing the entire biogas industry in the U.S., representing more than 300 companies in all parts of the biogas supply chain that are dedicated to maximizing the production and use of biogas from organic waste. Biogas systems protect our air, water and soil by recycling organic material, like food waste and manure, into renewable energy and soil products. Learn more online at AmericanBiogasCouncil.org, Twitter @ambiogascouncil, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Marisa Long, 412-877-7592, marisa@inspireprgroup.com and Hayley Maynard, 614-701-8205, hayley@inspireprgroup.com.