U.S. landfill biogas facilities are achieving record levels of energy capture and investment, according to new analysis released Wednesday by the American Biogas Council (ABC).
The report shows that 589 landfill biogas systems are now in operation nationwide, up nearly 19% since 2020.
In that time, more than 90 new facilities have come online, boosting annual capture capacity to 521 billion cubic feet (Bcf) - enough to power 3.3 million homes or fuel 5.2 million passenger vehicles.
Growth accelerated sharply in 2024, when developers added 56.3 Bcf of capacity - the largest single-year increase on record, greater than the combined additions from 2019 through 2022. Capital investment in new projects topped $1 billion in both 2023 and 2024.
“Landfill biogas facilities are a smart way to create more beneficial energy for America and provide jobs in communities across the country,” said ABC Executive Director Patrick Serfass. “We expect growth in this sector to continue as more and more landfill owners seize the opportunity to utilize the gas produced from our waste.”
Of the 92 facilities opened since 2020, 77 upgrade their gas to renewable natural gas (RNG). That shift has nearly doubled RNG’s share of landfill output, from 19% to 40%. Still, most landfill gas—about 60%—is used for electricity generation or direct heating.
The state-by-state breakdown shows Pennsylvania leading in annual biogas capture capacity (56.6 Bcf), while California tops the nation in facility count (55) and total investment ($1.4 billion).
Texas, Michigan and Illinois also rank among the largest contributors.
Despite the gains, the ABC says untapped potential remains vast.
A 2024 EPA report identified more than 700 U.S. landfills suitable for biogas development.
Since then, 31 new projects have started operations, with 27 under construction and 79 in planning.
Together, these sites could add 1.8 trillion cubic feet of annual capture—enough to power another 11.3 million homes.
ABC: U.S. landfills hit record levels of energy capture and investment
