Recent legislation in California has added $135 million for the reduction of toxic and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector. Will the state look to algae cultivation as one of the solutions?
Growing and harvesting algae is a type of agriculture that can remove vast amounts of greenhouse gases, either directly from the atmosphere as algae grow, or through carbon utilization methods that capture carbon-containing gases emitted at power plants or elsewhere. Furthermore, algae-based products and services may be able to play a significant role in farm operations, either as a renewable fuel, carbon-reducing fertilizer, or animal feed.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff are accepting input now on the development of the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program Guidelines. These guidelines will shape how reduction funding is allocated, and it will be important for CARB to understand the role algae can play.
ABO members that want to contribute to the process should participate in CARB’s January 30 webinar. More information available here.