Anaerobic Digestion as a Renewable Energy Source and Waste Management Technology: What Must Be Done for this Technology to Realize Success in the United States?

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion technology uses microorganisms to consume waste and produce methane gas, which serves as a source of clean renewable energy. Although anaerobic digestion is widely used for both purposes throughout the rest of the world, it is rarely applied in the United States. This Article explains the scientific processes of anaerobic digestion. It then discusses how anaerobic digestion has been used throughout history and among societies as a waste management technology and a source of renewable energy. The Article continues by addressing the legal aspects of anaerobic digestion, examining the reasons why it is not widely used in the United States. The Article concludes with solutions that may allow anaerobic digestion to become more widely adopted throughout the United States.

Keywords: green energy, clean energy, trash, garbage, biogas, climate change, global warming, bacteria, law, electricity, emissions, compost, composting, landfill, landfills, recycling, recycle, power, economics, pollution, carbon, fossil fuel, fossil fuels, feed-in tariff, PURPA, greenhouse, biomass

JEL Classification: N50, N52, N53, N54, N55, N70, N71, N72, N73, N74, N75