 Accomplishments
The AgSTAR Program has been very successful in encouraging the
development and adoption of anaerobic digestion technology. Since the
establishment of the program in 1994, the number of operational
digester systems has grown to 125 systems across the United
States. This growth has produced significant environmental and energy
benefits, including in 2008 alone, approximately 290,000
MWh equivalent of energy generation. The graph below shows the historical use of biogas
recovery technology for animal waste management.
Financial incentives have increased the deployment rate of manure
digester systems. For example, grants and loans awarded by USDA Rural
Development  through the Farm Bill have been one of the primary methods for farms to
partially fund installation of commercially proven livestock waste
digestion technologies. Since 2003, USDA Rural Development has awarded
more than $33 million for anaerobic digestion systems.
Annual Emission Reductions: CO2 Equivalent
Operating Manure Digesters
(February 2009)
The development of anaerobic digesters for livestock manure treatment
and energy production has accelerated at a very fast pace over the past
few years. Factors influencing this market demand include: increased
technical reliability of anaerobic digesters through the deployment of
successful operating systems over the past five years; growing concern
of farm owners about environmental quality; an increasing number of
state and federal programs designed to cost share in the development of
these systems; increasing energy costs and the desire for energy
security; and the emergence of new state energy policies (such as net
metering legislation) designed to expand growth in reliable renewable
energy and green power markets.
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