Turning Waste into Watts: Virginia Taps Sewage for Clean Energy

A Virginia partnership transforms wastewater into clean gas, cutting emissions and offering a scalable model for renewable fuel innovation.

4 Jun 2025

Virginia Natural Gas and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District have launched a project to convert methane from wastewater into renewable natural gas, in a move that could offer a scalable model for cleaner energy production.

The initiative centres on the Atlantic Treatment Plant in Virginia Beach, one of the largest facilities of its kind on the US East Coast. Methane produced during the treatment process will be captured and refined for injection into the region’s natural gas network, displacing fossil-derived supply.

The project is supported by Virginia’s Energy Innovation Act and the Sustainable Gas Program, which aim to cut emissions while maintaining existing infrastructure. Unlike solar and wind power, which depend on weather conditions, methane from sewage is generated steadily, offering a consistent source of fuel.

“This is about doing more with what we already have,” said a Virginia Natural Gas spokesperson. “We’re transforming everyday waste into a clean, reliable energy source.”

Initial projections suggest the initiative could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by tens of thousands of metric tonnes of CO₂-equivalent per year. By using methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere, the project supports both environmental targets and energy security.

Biogas systems such as this are part of a broader push among US utilities to decarbonise while managing costs. The infrastructure for capturing and processing methane exists in many wastewater facilities, but uptake has been limited by regulatory uncertainty and upfront capital needs.

Despite these barriers, energy analysts see growing potential for such systems. Biogas is gaining attention as a firm, low-carbon energy source that complements intermittent renewables and avoids the need for new transmission networks.

Virginia’s approach could serve as a template for other states exploring circular energy models. The partnership signals a shift towards viewing waste not as a liability, but as a local and renewable energy resource.