The American Biogas Council announced that 15 additional operator school students have earned their digester operator certification this spring after passing the organization鈥檚 rigorous Operator Certification exam. This latest cohort brings the total number of Certified Digester Operators nationwide to 75, further strengthening the skilled workforce that supports the safe and reliable operation of biogas systems across the United States.
Certified Digester Operators play a critical role in ensuring anaerobic digesters run safely and efficiently. These systems capture methane-rich biogas from organic materials such as manure, food waste, and wastewater solids as they break down. That biogas can then be used to generate electricity and heat, fuel vehicles, or produce renewable natural gas. The process also yields a rich organic fertilizer, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic soil nutrients.
The ABC鈥檚 Operator Certification is the only program of its kind in North America. Developed and taught by leading experts from industry and academia, the curriculum builds the technical skills operators need for safe, effective, and long-term success in the biogas industry. Passing the exam verifies that operators meet rigorous industry standards for the safe and effective management of anaerobic digestion systems.
To qualify for certification, candidates must complete the Operator School training course, demonstrate at least 2,000 hours of relevant operations experience, and hold first aid, confined space, and lockout/tagout certifications before sitting for the exam. 鈥淲e鈥檙e helping ensure that the thousands of biogas facilities across the country operate safely, efficiently, and at their full potential 鈥� delivering more American-made energy while recycling more of the waste we produce,鈥� said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of the American Biogas Council. 鈥淏y expanding our network of Certified Digester Operators, the US can recycle more organic waste into reliable energy and valuable fertilizer.鈥�
From new entrants to seasoned operators, participants reported measurable benefits: 鈥淭his course delivered practical, data-driven tools that strengthened my skills in both the biological and physical management of anaerobic digesters,鈥� said Jon van Nieuwenhuyzen, a Washington dairy farmer, and systems operator and board member of Qualco Energy. 鈥淭he course provides valuable insight into evaluating feedstocks beyond dairy manure, using proven calculations instead of gut instinct. Even though I’ve operated digesters for 18 years, ABC鈥檚 Operator School challenged me to think differently. Learning to better interpret system data has brought a new level of confidence to my daily decision-making while reinforcing safe, effective operations.鈥�
Theresa Yorek, Process Technology Supervisor for BTS Bioenergy, said, 鈥淚 was blown away by the scope of information included in this course. From calculating the gas potential of incoming feedstocks to understanding pumps and electrical generation, the course covers every part of the plant. It equipped me with practical tools to build more resilient operations, especially when managing variable feedstocks, and deepened my understanding of the 鈥榳hy鈥� behind the process. Applying these insights to identify trends and respond effectively will help me improve plant performance.”
Joshua Hausauer, Minnesota Regional Plant Manager for Amp Americas, said, 鈥淚 started Operator School with a strong understanding of digester systems, but the course significantly deepened my knowledge of digester health 鈥� especially around key metrics like total solids, volatile solids, and organic loading rate. The training provided practical mathematical tools to better understand the 鈥渕agic鈥� that happens inside a digester. I鈥檓 now applying that knowledge to develop a digester health tracker that helps project sites monitor performance and helps us make more informed, proactive decisions around operations and manure management.鈥�
Digester operators earning their certification this spring include professionals from AMP Americas, BTS Bioenergy, Carbon Cycle North Carolina, CH4 Biogas, de Jong Family Farms, DTE Biomass Energy, Township of Neptune Sewerage Authority, Qualco Energy, and TECO People’s Gas.
The next Operator School will be held in person August 3鈥�7, 2026, at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The course will include classroom work and multiple anaerobic digester site visits, giving attendees the opportunity to see real-world operations up close and connect classroom learning with on-the-ground experience. Operators can learn more about the course and register on the American Biogas Council鈥檚 website under .