California sets up statewide GHG monitoring

California is believed to be the first state to set up statewide greenhouse gas monitoring, using devices developed by Sunnyvale, Calif. startup Picarro.

The state will mount the $50,000 senors on towers around the state to detect emissions that contribute to global warming. Experts say the California plan is an example of the kind of system that may be needed in many places as countries develop plans to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases.

Picarro's customers to date have been mostly research organizations but the company believes that more governments and large companies may come knocking as emissions restrictions become more stringent.

Read more in the New York Times.