CROOKSTON, Minn. (November 2025) — With Minnesota at a rare crossroads between a growing demand for renewable energy and the untapped potential of organic waste streams, biogas will be the focus of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)’s 2025 Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable. It will be held in a hybrid format, with a virtual option available alongside the in-person event, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on December 17 at The Machine Shop in Minneapolis.
This year’s roundtable will explore ways to secure Minnesota’s biogas future and preview a biogas roadmap that AURI will publish in 2026. The event will explore the interconnected systems that drive biogas and renewable natural gas – from manure to landfills, food waste, wastewater, natural gas infrastructure, and more. With this once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the State’s biogas industry, this premier industry event is a way to share ideas, explore market opportunities, and network with others.
“Minnesota is in a unique position for the biogas industry, and with the right framework, direction, and innovation, there is opportunity for considerable growth in the sector,” says Shannon Schlecht, AURI executive director. “It is essential that we tackle issues around biogas holistically, and this year’s roundtable is the perfect place for a wide range of stakeholders to gather, brainstorm, and harness ideas in order to further develop biogas into an integral part of Minnesota’s energy sector.”
The day will have a lineup of three keynote speakers, featuring experts across the biogas industry, including:
- Lorenzo Rosa, Ph.D., Carnegie Science
- Michael Schuppenhauer, Ph.D., mcr Energy, LLC
- Heather Dziedzic, American Biogas Council
Along with keynote speakers, the roundtable will have two interactive panels to discuss policies that support revenue-generating infrastructure, reduce the cost of municipal waste handling, lower environmental impacts, and improve community resiliency.
The first panel, “Where Technology and Market Meet,” features:
- Jennifer Stokes, CenterPoint Energy
- Bill Keegan, P.E. Dem-Con Companies
- Jacob Ethen, City of St. Cloud Public Utilities
- Brad Anderson, City of St. Cloud
The second panel, “Advancing from Success,” features:
- Steve Grove, Avant Energy
- Michael Crinion, Ash Grove Dairy
- Joe Burke, VIRESCO
To foster greater connections before and during the event, there is a new feature available to attendees. Once registered online, attendees can see others who will be at the roundtable and preschedule 1:1 meetings.
“We hope this event acts as an idea incubator to generate growth in Minnesota’s biogas production and market – from farmers and businesses to consumers and other energy users,” Schlecht said.
Visit the event website for a complete agenda and to register for the event. The registration fee is $40 for the in-person event or $20 for the virtual option.
The event is sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, Compeer Financial, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Xcel Energy, Vanguard Renewables, Avisen Legal, Minnesota Farmers Union, Cavanaugh Solutions, and BPC Instruments.
