Growing gas on the farm? Stakeholder perspectives on divergent models of biogas production in the United States

The agricultural sector has shown increasing interest in on-farm anaerobic digestion (OFAD) systems that convert livestock manure into biogas and digestate co-products. This study examined a potential OFAD supply chain that would use perennial crops, double crops, and other soil-building crops as the primary feedstocks (in addition to or instead of manure) for biogas production. More widespread use of such OFAD systems could enhance soil and water conservation, the economic vitality of rural communities, and climate change adaptation and mitigation, but could also potentially have unintended negative social, economic, and environmental consequences. This research investigated stakeholder synergies and conflicts regarding OFAD technology to inform its development trajectory and promote more sustainable outcomes. To better understand stakeholder perspectives, the research team conducted 36 in-depth interviews with 53 representatives from state- and national-level organizations associated with OFAD, using a theoretical framework combining multi-level sustainability transitions and technology legitimacy perspectives to guide data analysis. The analysis of stakeholder perspectives identified techno-economic, political and institutional, and social and cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the lock-in of large, manure-based digesters while keeping alternative OFAD arrangements in niche-level development stages. Additionally, areas of alignment and misalignment between stakeholder organizations were identified that potentially impact the legitimacy and growth of these innovative technologies. Findings from this research offer insights for policymakers and other stakeholders on how to understand the successes of dominant technologies, such as manure-only OFAD, to foster the growth and uptake of innovative niche technologies, such as herbaceous OFAD, that could provide additional sustainability benefits.