(California) FY 2022-23 State Budget funding for methane reduction

Last updated: 14 February 2023

The California legislature approved a funding request of $100 million for methane reduction measures in the 2022-2023 fiscal year state budget. The funding, requested by the California Air Resource Board (CARB), will expand the frequency and area covered by remote sensing and satellite technology to monitor methane emissions. 
The funding will go toward eight additional satellites that will form the basis of a network of 20 or more expected to be funded by partnerships in the coming years. This network will focus on identifying highly concentrated emission sources in oil and gas infrastructure that are often unintentional and fixable. They will also be used to detect emissions from the waste industry and map the distribution of emissions near disadvantaged communities. The satellites will carry hyperspectral imager technology developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory that is equipped with over 400 data acquisition channels besides methane, such as minerals, plant species, animal species, water quality, and urban canopy assessment.  
The funding will also be used to establish seven permanent positions to develop and manage the project and analyse the resulting data. 

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