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3d ago

California Study Finds Dairy Digesters Slash Methane Emissions by 80%

UCR findings bolster California's plan to reduce greenhouse gases 40% by 2030 through expanded leak detection as well as stronger farm partnerships.

A Tulare County farm became a methane-cutting test site after researchers installed mobile sensors and tracked emissions before and after a digester system. The result: up to 80% less methane, proving the tech can deliver on its climate promise.

Overview

  • Mobile atmospheric measurements at a Tulare County dairy showed methane emissions fell by about 80% after researchers and operators identified and repaired leaks in the 2021-installed digester.
  • More than 130 California dairy farms now use anaerobic digesters that capture manure methane and repurpose it as fuel for heavy trucks.
  • Adaptive management proved critical as scientists worked with California Bioenergy and farmers to flag system issues and optimize emission reductions.
  • While digesters deliver substantial methane cuts, they do not mitigate other pollutants from dairy operations such as ammonia or airborne particles.
  • California regulators are rolling out satellite-based methane monitoring to swiftly detect leaks and back the state’s goal of cutting emissions 40% below 2013 levels by decade’s end.