In the United States (US), the Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have announced selectees for the 2023 Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Technical Assistance for Local Governments Program, which will provide bioenergy assistance for 17 communities in 11 states.
The Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Technical Assistance for Local Governments Program, program funds collaborations between NREL and 17 local government entities to provide strategic planning support, quantification of local organic waste resources, and mitigation approaches for localized environmental impacts, among other high-priority concerns.
To date, NREL and BETO have assisted more than 40 communities since 2021 through this program.
The WTE program was created to mobilize national laboratory analyses and technical expertise around energy and resource recovery from organic waste streams such as food waste, sewage sludge, and animal manure; as well as fats, oils, and greases (FOG).
It addresses knowledge gaps, specific challenges, decision-making considerations, planning, and project implementation strategies related to WTE in those communities.
Insights and analyses from this technical assistance program provide an avenue for municipalities and tribal governments to make informed decisions about closing waste loops and generating additional value streams from waste.
