Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Alternative Fuels


#CDFACentennial – Centennial Reflections video series with Kristin Macey

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019. Throughout the year this blog will feature a number of items to commemorate this milestone. Today we continue with the Centennial Reflections video … Continue reading

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CDFA and Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV Action Plan

  CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) is pleased to play a key role in Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Action Plan.  ZEV technologies include hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include … Continue reading

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Weighing bees – entomologists and engineers working together on research project – from UC Davis

By Andy Fell How do you weigh a bee? That’s the question that brought together insect specialists at the University of California, Davis, and two teams of UC Davis engineering students this year, to try and solve what turns out … Continue reading

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Hydrogen Vehicle Rally from Santa Monica to Sacramento – from SCTV

On Wednesday, April 20, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols led a rally of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles with Energy Commissioner Janea Scott and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) Deputy Director Tyson Eckerle on a … Continue reading

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Hydrogen Highway Update: Public fueling stations one step closer to “go” thanks to CDFA’s expertise

The recent christening of a hydrogen fuel dispenser at the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility at Cal State Los Angeles (CSULA) represents a significant milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to counter climate change. The station is the first of its … Continue reading

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Diesel Fuel Substitute Shows Promise – CDFA Partnering in Test Project

A new fuel will soon be powering some vehicles in a test project in California. Volvo’s heavy truck division is partnering with an innovative California start-up, Oberon Fuels, to develop Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a diesel engine fuel replacement, at … Continue reading

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New Algae-Based Biodiesel Meets State Fuel Quality Standards

The Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) has tested samples of a new 20 percent biodiesel blend fuel made from algae and is happy to report that the fuel is compliant with California’s quality specification for … Continue reading

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Statement from Secretary Ross on dairy pricing

Under state law, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has the responsibility of calculating the minimum price that milk producers are to receive from processors.  In order to perform this duty, the Department employs economists who monitor conditions in … Continue reading

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Solar panels and onion power show the way to Ag energy self-sufficiency

One of the strategic objectives of Ag Vision: Strategies for Sustainability is to achieve the maximum usage of renewable energy by agriculture, thereby increasing economic productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.  Governor Brown has demonstrated important leadership with policy … Continue reading

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Alternative Fuels in California

It’s been a watershed few weeks for alternative fuels in California with more than $30 million in grant funding announced recently by the California Energy Commission for research, development and distribution. At CDFA, we pay close attention to the distribution … Continue reading

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