CDFA’s science advisor to the secretary and manager of the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, spoke this week at a California Air Resources Board (CARB) virtual workshop on methane reduction. Dr. Gunasekara discussed CDFA efforts relating to the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants present in California dairy and livestock operations.
OEFI administers the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). Financial incentives are provided to dairy operators who also contribute matching funds to reduce methane greenhouse gases. To date, DDRDP and AMMP have awarded funding to a combined total of 233 projects. Through those programs more than 2.3 million metric tons of CO2e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent) have been removed from the environment.
“We at CDFA are grateful for the opportunity to discuss our work to mitigate greenhouse gases in partnership with CARB, through our incentive programs,” said Dr. Gunasekara. “What is evident from the workshop is that there are still issues that need to be resolved, and I am hopeful that having open communications with all interested parties will lead to creative and practical solutions.”
Stakeholders participating in the workshop shared their perspectives on complex issues connected to environmental regulatory effects on dairy operations.