New poll shows broad support for federal investments in US biogas production

Derived from a variety of organic wastes and residual sources, biogas can be used to power and heat homes, fuel vehicles, and generate electricity.

In addition, the anaerobic digestion (AD) process produces nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

According to the poll data, 74 percent of respondents support increasing U.S. government investment in domestic biogas production, and 77 percent support increasing biogas production in the United States.

The data also show that 3 in 4 Americans support the use of both energy tax credits (72 percent) and direct legislative funding to encourage and expand biogas production on farms across the country (79 percent).

Furthermore, voters’ perception of the industry increases from 37 percent favorability to 86 percent after simply learning what biogas is, the polling shows. Respondents cited waste reduction and energy production as some of the top reasons for its appeal.

In addition, 65 percent of respondents across party lines said political leaders are providing too little support to farming and agriculture, a sector that would strongly benefit from biogas systems.

Widespread support of biogas makes sense because we’re turning a waste stream into saleable products that have both economic and environmental benefits. Biogas transforms materials that normally cost someone to handle into American-made fuel, while creating good-paying jobs and new economic opportunities for communities nationwide. As Congress considers new tax and spending legislation, this polling highlights that voter sentiment is strongly behind continued federal investments and policies that expand biogas production, said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of ABC.

The poll, which was commissioned by ABC and conducted by independent research firm Candid Counsel, sampled over 1,000 registered voters across the American political spectrum.

The sample was weighted where necessary to be representative of registered voters in the US based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, region, and party ID.