California Ag Network

Tag: Dairy Digester Program

  • California launches first dairy digester pipeline cluster

    CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt congratulates Calgren and their partner dairies and contractors at the launch of the new digester cluster facility.

    California is proud to announce the state’s first dairy digester pipeline cluster. CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt was on-hand this week for the launch of Calgren Renewable Fuels’ new facility, which partners with local dairies in the Pixley, California area.

    Eleven digesters, 22 miles of pipeline and 75,000 cows contribute to this interconnected system, which will collectively reduce an estimated of 1,867,651 metric tons of CO2 (equivalent) over 10 years. That’s equal to 399,925 passenger vehicles driven for 1 year or 201,668 homes’ electricity use for 1 year. Now that’s cow power.

    Touring the Calgren facility.

    The digesters and the cluster project were made possible in part by grants in 2017 and 2018 from CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program totaling approximately $16 million, with an additional $17.5 million in matching funds provided by the dairies and Calgren.

  • CDFA Announces Extension of Grant Application Deadline for the 2018 Dairy Digester Research and Development Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 19, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has extended the grant application deadline for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), from January 26, 2018 to February 23, at 5 P.M. PST.

    The DDRDP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide between $61 million and $75 million in grants to California dairy farms to install anaerobic digesters that reduce their methane emissions.
    For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA DDRDP website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ddrdp/ . To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov . Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, February 23 at 5:00 P.M. PST.

    NOTE – The DDRDP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment-particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.

  • CDFA Announces Funding For Dairy Digester Development Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 20, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). The program, which is funded through California Climate Investment dollars, provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    “Reducing methane emissions is a critical component in the state’s efforts to combat climate change,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Digester technology is an excellent example of how state and private partnerships can protect the environment, reduce emissions all while also providing an economic benefit for our dairy producers.”

    CDFA will allocate between $61-$75 million for potential projects. The final sum will depend on the needs of successful grant applicants. Additional funds have been allocated to support non-digester practices that reduce methane emissions from dairy and livestock operations through the Alternative Manure Management Program(AMMP). Milk producers and dairy digester developers can apply for up to $3 million for projects that provide quantifiable greenhouse gas reductions.

    Prospective applicants can access the “Request for Grant Applications” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD  for information on eligibility and program requirements.

    To streamline the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, January 26, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

    CDFA will hold two free workshops and one webinar to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process. CDFA staff will be present at the workshop to provide guidance on the application process, provide application examples and answer any questions. Individuals planning to attend should emailgrants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and the workshop location.

    Workshop locations include:

    • Modesto – Wednesday, January 3, 2018,
      1:00 – 3:00 pm
      Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Office, Room HI,
      3800 Cornucopia Way
      Modesto, CA 95358
    • Tulare – Thursday, January 4, 2018
      1:00 – 3:00 pm
      Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Office Conference Room
      Agricultural Building
      4437 S Laspina Street
      Tulare, CA 93274
    • Webinar – Monday, January 8, 2018
      10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
      To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD.

    Prospective applicants should refer to the DDRDP webpage (www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD ) for information on community outreach assistance coordinated by CDFA. For general program questions, contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov.