11,000 biogas project opportunities in the US? USDA, DOE, EPA publish Biogas Opportunities Roadmap published:

In Washington, USDA, EPA and the US DOE published the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap, and concluded that:

· Developing a viable biogas industry in the U.S. can boost the economy and provide a reliable, distributed source of renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions
· 2,000 biogas sites operate in the U.S. today, and more than 11,000 additional biogas systems could be deployed to handle organic waste and produce energy and biogas system co-products
· Realizing the full potential of the biogas industry will require support from federal agencies, greater investment, expanded markets for biogas and biogas products, and increased R&D
· The benefits of biogas systems are clear. The task ahead is to reduce barriers and promote financial opportunities to move forward in developing a robust biogas industry

In the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap, the federal agencies identify programs that can promote biogas utilization and help the private sector voluntarily realize the full potential of biogas systems. These programs include:

· Using existing agency programs to leverage over $10 million in research funding
· Fostering investments in biogas systems including reviewing government procurement programs for products of biogas systems
· Strengthening markets for biogas systems and system products including by modernizing existing Federal incentives
· Improving communication and coordination by establishing a Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Working Group that will include participation from DOE and EPA, as well as the dairy and biogas industries

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.