U.S. Sens. Pat Robert (R., Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to encourage investment in biodigester systems while establishing a market for farmers who already have a surplus of waste materials that can be used for biogas production. This bill, the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act, will help expand the market for biogas by providing a 30% investment tax credit to help offset the upfront costs associated with building biodigester systems.

Right now, farmers across the country have a surplus of organic material like manure, food scraps, agricultural residue, wastewater solids and liquids -- all of which can be used to create biogas that can then be used to produce heat, electricity and fuel and can be injected into natural gas pipelines. It can also be used to process wastewater upstream, which reduces runoff and containments that affect potable water in a number of communities, especially those around Lake Erie.

“This legislation promotes a commonsense way to turn waste into energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and grow the economy,” Roberts said. “The Warrior Biogas project near Dodge City [Kan.] is a shining example of what could happen across Kansas and America if we incentivize further development of these innovative technologies.”

“Ohio farmers are struggling to safely dispose of livestock waste that could be used for renewable energy,” Brown said. “This legislation will encourage investment in the technology needed to convert these waste materials into natural gas that can be used to power households and businesses across the country.”

The legislation is supported by the American Biogas Council (ABC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act provides an advancement to sustainable agricultural technologies. When biogas systems recycle manure and the nutrients contained within, we have cleaner waterways, healthier soil and new commodities,” said Patrick Serfass, executive director of ABC. “The ABC is very grateful for Senators' Brown and Roberts continued leadership in sustainable agricultural. We believe this bill will incentivize greater investment in digester and nutrient recovery technologies, which will create new jobs, promote sustainable farm practices, and protect our air, water and soil."