CDFA accepting comments on draft guidelines for demo projects to reduce methane emissions

SACRAMENTO — California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting public comments on draft guidelines for new demonstration projects designed to achieve reductions of methane emissions from California dairy and livestock operations.

The demonstration projects are two new components of CDFA’s existing dairy and livestock methane reduction incentive programs.

The draft guidelines establish parameters by which competitive grants for demonstration projects will be awarded to showcase new and innovative technologies and manure management practices that result in long-term methane emission reductions while maximizing environmental benefits.

Additionally, projects providing benefits to priority populations, which include disadvantaged and low-income communities, will receive additional points during the review process. These programs have been developed in response to the recommendations of the Dairy and Livestock Working Group.

CDFA will allocate a total of up to $4 million for demonstration projects established under the draft guidelines, with up to $2 million each for digester and non-digester (i.e., alternative manure management) projects, respectively. Eligible applicants include California-based University researchers and academic experts, non-profit organizations, and private companies specializing in dairy and livestock manure management technologies in collaboration with California dairy operation or livestock operations.

The draft guidelines for the new demonstration projects can be found on the following webpages under the CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation:

• Dairy Digester Research and Development Program Demonstration Projects: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ ddrdp/DemoProject.html

• Alternative Manure Management Program Demonstration Projects: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/ DemoProject.html

Public comments on the draft guidelines will be accepted through Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. Comments regarding the draft guidelines must be submitted to cdfa. oefi@cdfa.ca.gov