As local agencies work to meet the state’s goal of diverting 75 percent of California’s waste from disposal in landfills by 2020, they are turning to innovative technologies like anaerobic digestion to convert waste into energy as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. This issue brief provides an overview of some of the technical and financing factors that local officials and staff should consider in determining whether anaerobic digestion is an appropriate approach to meet their goals for diverting waste, producing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.