Will Manure Power the Future? Rural Biogas Gets a Boost

New Senate bill channels DOE funds into rural biogas, backing fast-track tech to cut methane and fuel clean energy growth.

25 Jun 2025

America’s rural waste is getting a second look. A new Senate bill aims to transform manure and food scraps into clean energy, through fresh Department of Energy grants and support from the Rural Utilities Service. The legislation, backed by the American Biogas Council, is designed to push anaerobic digestion projects forward, especially in underserved communities.

Such systems, which turn organic waste into renewable gas, promise twin benefits: cutting methane emissions and boosting local energy resilience. Despite their appeal, many rural projects have struggled to scale. Federal support may now tip the balance.

Technology is also making things easier. DMT Environmental, a biogas equipment firm, reports rising demand for its modular, off-the-shelf systems. These units can be installed quickly, making them attractive to farms and small towns eyeing the new funding.

“The demand is real, and this policy gives communities the push they need,” said a representative from the American Biogas Council. “It’s not just about energy, it’s about building local resilience.”

The bill aligns with federal climate ambitions, complementing existing schemes like the Environmental Protection Agency’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Together, they form a clearer pathway for capturing waste gases and feeding them into energy grids, instead of flaring them or letting them seep from landfills and lagoons.

But the money comes with strings. Projects must meet new requirements on methane capture and waste diversion. In response, firms such as Brightmark are adding monitoring and data tools to their renewable natural gas (RNG) plants to reassure regulators and investors.

Challenges persist. There are concerns about equitable access to funds and the need for tighter oversight, especially as smaller operators enter the space. Yet the overall outlook is bullish. If passed, the bill could trigger a biogas boom in parts of America long left out of the clean-energy transition.

By turning rural waste from a liability into an asset, policymakers and firms are betting that what once powered compost heaps could soon power communities.