Columbus and Cincinnati are turning what was once a smelly byproduct into a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
Ohio’s wastewater treatment plants are undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation, one that’s converting human waste into renewable energy. Through cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technology, biogas projects in Columbus and Cincinnati are set to offset an estimated 50,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This is equivalent to taking over 10,000 cars off the road.
Columbus’s Southerly and Jackson Pike plants will generate electricity and heat from methane-rich biogas, slashing emissions by roughly 34,000 and 13,000 metric tons respectively. With federal incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act, the clock is ticking to capitalize on this green opportunity.
Cincinnati’s Little Miami Wastewater Treatment Plant is also stepping up, constructing three anaerobic digesters that will process waste solids into biogas and biosolids. This not only diverts tons of sludge from landfills but also powers plant operations, reduces truck traffic, cuts odors, and saves money, All of this, in turn, also helps shrink the city’s carbon footprint.
“For years, we’ve been flaring biogas, wasting a valuable resource,” said Stacia Eckenwiler of Columbus’s Division of Sewers and Drains. “Now, we’re finally putting it to work.”
Biogas, composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide, is created naturally during the breakdown of organic waste. When harnessed properly, it becomes a clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuels, especially crucial as cities strive to meet climate goals.
With new infrastructure set to go live by 2028, these projects mark a shift in how municipalities view waste: not as a burden, but as a sustainable energy source. As Veolia North America’s CEO Karine Rougé put it: “The gas is generated anyway. Using it is a perfect substitute for fossil fuels.”
Diamond Scientific applauds this growing momentum in biogas innovation. It’s proof that climate action can start right beneath our feet.
