Critics Question Future of Biogas

The breakdown of farm byproducts such as manure into energy has been touted as a renewable fix for the future.  However, critics say the clean-energy dreams of biogas may not be what they appear.

A new analysis from Washington D.C.-based Food and Water Watch said the process of anaerobic digestion to convert organic material into biogas actually releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants, potentially offsetting other greenhouse-gas reductions.  The organization also claims biogas is made up largely of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that can leak out during energy production.

“We see it as 'greenwashing' the fossil fuel industry that wants to move more gas around, whether it came from factory farm waste or from drilling, and we see big, environmentally damaging livestock operations that have too much manure in one place getting these really big-ticket facilities built that are just going to keep them around for longer,” said Patty Lovera assistant director for Food and Water Watch.

Lovera notes that biogas technology only is available on industrial-scale farms that have large sources of manure.

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