Aug. 1, 2008 - Anheuser-Busch is converting all 12 of its U.S. breweries to run on 15% renewable energy by the end of next year.

The beer giant is installing bio-energy recovery systems (BERS) that can turn brewery wastewater into fuel for plant operations. The company is currently bringing the new systems online at facilities in Houston and Fairfield, Calif., with plans to convert nine more breweries in 2009. (The company's plant in Fort Collins, Colo., does not operate a BERS but will fertilize local biofuel crops with nutrient-rich brewery wastewater.)

The Houston brewery will use biogas from a nearby landfill as part of an alternative fuel plan that, when combined with BERS, is expected to provide more than 70% of the brewery's fuel needs.

The Fairfield brewery will supplement its BERS with a new on-site solar plant that will provide 3% of the facility's energy needs.

The alternative-energy drive is part of Anheuser-Busch's Blue Ocean initiative, which aims to deliver more than $1 billion in savings through 2010.

"With our Blue Ocean project, we're examining everything we do to make sure we are brewing our beers in a way that's efficient and considers our environmental impacts," says Doug Muhleman, the company's group vice president of brewing operations and technology.

All 12 of Anheuser-Busch's U.S. breweries currently recycle or reuse more than 99% of the solid waste from brewing and packaging processes, according to the company.

Anheuser-Busch has been making efforts to green up its image in recent months. The company has been airing green-themed ads online and on TV.