AgSTAR Partners

AgSTAR and its partners support the development of anaerobic digesters to reduce methane emissions from livestock waste.

• What is the AgSTAR Partner Program?
• What are the elements of the AgSTAR Partner Program?
• Who are AgSTAR’s Partners?
• Are there other EPA programs related to biogas?

What is the AgSTAR Partner Program?

AgSTAR’s Partner Program builds stronger relationships with state and non-governmental stakeholders to support all phases of anaerobic digester projects: planning, deployment and long-term success. Organizations eligible to become AgSTAR Partners are Universities, Non-Profit Organizations, and State Agencies.

What are the Elements of the AgSTAR Partner Program?

Who are AgSTAR’s Partners?

Current AgSTAR Partners

Partner Name	Partner Type	Description
Cornell University	University	Conducts applied research and extension on the anaerobic digestion of manure and the co-digestion of manure and food waste, as well as digestate and biogas utilization.
Iowa State University	University	Researches animal waste treatment systems including anaerobic digestion.
Michigan State University	University	Researches, develops, evaluates, and educates on integrated anaerobic digestion and other waste to resource systems.
Oklahoma State University, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources	University	Develops and disseminates anaerobic digestion technologies.
Oregon State University, Animal Science Department	University	Supports developers to locate third-party digesters on dairy farms in Oregon.
Purdue University	University	Involved in research and extension of anaerobic digestion technology for energy production and environmental protection.
University of Maryland	University	Built numerous field and laboratory-scale digestion reactors for testing feedstocks, reactor design, and biogas utilization.
University of Wisconsin – Madison	University	Researches many topics of anaerobic digestion, including operation, system design, nutrient fate, and environmental and economic impacts
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Environmental Research & Innovation Center	University	Offers confidential advanced research and testing for biosolids and water.
University of Vermont – College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences	University	Maintains teaching and research units, including development of an anaerobic digester at the dairy facility
Vermont Technical College	University	Offers career-focused technical education, including five degrees related to anaerobic digestion and hosts a complete mix anaerobic digester on campus.
Washington State University	University	Maintains an active anaerobic digester, as well as other thermal based and integrated conversion technology research and extension programs
American Carbon Registry	Non-profit Organization	Develops carbon offset methodologies.
Association of Illinois Cooperatives	Non-profit Organization	Supports development of anaerobic digesters on small farms in co-op areas.
The Climate Trust	Non-profit Organization	A non-profit with experience in carbon offsets and 15 carbon offset credit methane digester projects.
Energy Trust of Oregon	Non-profit Organization	Provides project development assistance, expertise, and installation incentives.
Great Plains Institute	Non-profit Organization	Through research and analysis, consensus policy development, technology acceleration, and local action, leading the transition to environmentally and economically sustainable energy.
Illinois Green Economy Network	Non-profit Organization	Supports network colleges with composting and advancing the interest in anaerobic digestion.
Seventhwave	Non-profit Organization	Independent non-profit focused on energy research, training, education, and outreach organization.
Sustainable America	Non-profit Organization	Dedicated to reducing the nation's oil consumption and increasing food availability.
Sustainable Conservation	Non-profit Organization	Works in partnership with the dairy industry to make California dairy digesters economically viable and spur further adoption of this technology
Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance	Non-profit Organization	Forum and advocate for the sustainable use, recovery and recycling of phosphorus in the food system
California Department of Food and Agriculture	State Agency	Supports the development of anaerobic digesters at dairies in California.
Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence	State Agency	Improves quality and security of life by creating efficient, sustainable energy solutions and strategies.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture	State Agency	Protects food supply and natural resources, and cultivates an agricultural economy.
Nebraska Methane Workgroup	State Agency	Supports the advancement of the capture and recovery of methane.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Wastewater Engineering Bureau	State Agency	Developing an Energy Management and Asset Management program focused on energy recovery.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority	State Agency	Provides funding to anaerobic digestion projects in New York.
Oregon Department of Energy	State Agency	Reduces the long-term cost of energy through research, technical assistance, and financial support.
State of Wisconsin	State Agency	Promotes anaerobic digestion through funding, conferences, policy groups, and education.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets	State Agency	Actively supports manure digestion on farms with strategic planning, feasibility studies, equipment funding, and outreach activities.
Vermont Department of Conservation	State Agency	Supports anaerobic digester regulations and promotes organics diversion.
Washington Department of Commerce	State Agency	Coordinates renewable energy policy and business development efforts in conjunction with government, research institutions, and private enterprise partners.

Are there other EPA programs related to biogas?

AgSTAR focuses on biogas recovery from livestock waste. Other EPA programs promote biogas recovery in other sectors or provide incentives or information that biogas project developers may find helpful.

• Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP)
• Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2)
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership
• Green Power Partnership
• EPA State and Local Transportation Resources: Clean Vehicles
• EPA's Anaerobic Digestion Resource Page