As SHWEC has continued to carry out its mission to help businesses, communities and families reduce waste and pollution, SHWEC has naturally developed programs to promote renewable energy in Wisconsin. Renewable energy saves fossil fuel resources, reduces pollution from traditional fuels, and provides an indigenous source of energy to meet Wisconsin's growing energy demand. Some technologies, like wind and solar power, have great economic development potential for Wisconsin. Others, like anaerobic digestion of manure, offer the ability to generate energy while managing waste in an environmentally sound manor.

As dairy farms in Wisconsin have continued to expand, the challenges of properly managing increasing quantities of manure have increased. Many farms have faced continuing problems with odor and water pollution, as well as complaints from neighbors. One solution has been to aerobically digest manure to generate methane, which can be burned to produce electricity. Large farms can sell the electricity to local utilities, as well as met their own energy needs. The digested manure significantly reduces odor problems and neighbors' concerns, a win-win proposition for farmers. Working with the Wisconsin Focus on energy program, SHWEC has promoted expansion of anaerobic digestion in Wisconsin, making Wisconsin one of the nation's leaders in adoption of this renewable energy technology.