Advocating for Real Climate Solutions, Not False Promises

Animal Kind Alliance (AKA) submitted comments, drafted by our partners at Earthjustice, urging the prohibition of Clean Electricity Tax Credits for biogas production from animal manure.

Biogas from manure is often presented as a clean energy solution, but this is a dangerous misconception. The process involves capturing methane—a potent greenhouse gas—from manure stored in large pits at concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, while this may reduce some emissions at the storage stage, it ignores the broader lifecycle of GHG emissions associated with industrial animal agriculture.

The reality is that manure biogas fails to address significant emissions from livestock feed production, enteric fermentation (methane produced by the animals themselves), and the leaks and inefficiencies in biogas systems. Worse still, promoting biogas creates a perverse incentive for CAFOs to continue, or even expand, their operations, leading to more manure and methane production—not less.

This approach is fundamentally flawed and incompatible with genuine climate solutions. Instead of reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture, it entrenches the most polluting practices. At AKA, we believe that the fight against climate change requires us to challenge these false solutions and advocate for real, sustainable practices.

We are grateful to Earthjustice for helping us bring this critical issue to the attention of the Treasury Department. By denying tax credits for manure biogas, we can take a step closer to a future where agricultural practices truly contribute to a healthier planet.