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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 106436-106437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30952]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Establishment of the Methane Plume Remote Sensing Measurements 
Consortium

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

ACTION: Notice of Research Consortium.

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SUMMARY: NIST is establishing the Methane Plume Remote Sensing 
Measurements Consortium (``Consortium'') to support the rapidly growing 
field of remote sensing for the detection and quantification of methane 
emissions, primarily from point sources. This Consortium aims to unite 
Federal and State agencies, academia, business, and industry to enhance 
robust transparency, accuracy, reliability, and interoperability of 
methane plume detection and quantification data products. In this 
evolving field of measurement and analysis, consistency across products 
and results, an understanding of the drivers of error, and a well-
constructed validation strategy, are important to increase trust in the 
data products. To achieve this, the Consortium is focused on 
identifying the strengths and limitations of current methodologies and 
analysis approaches. The Consortium seeks to foster transparency 
through improved documentation, consensus building around best 
practices and the development of documentary consensus standards. In 
addition, the Consortium seeks to support the coordination and 
standardization of validation approaches for these measurements and the 
utilization of controlled releases. By fostering collaboration among 
business, Federal agencies, local governmental stakeholders, and 
researchers, the Consortium aims to drive advancements in methane plume 
detection and quantification and the analysis supported by them.
    Participants will be required to sign a Cooperative Research and 
Development Agreement (CRADA).

DATES: The Consortium's activities will commence on January 15, 2024 
(``Commencement Date''). NIST will accept letters of interest to 
participate in this Consortium on an ongoing basis.

ADDRESSES: Completed letters of interest or requests for additional 
information about the Consortium can be directed via mail to the 
Consortium Manager, Dr. Annmarie Eldering, Greenhouse Gas Measurements 
Program of NIST's Special Programs Office, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 
2100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or via electronic mail 
[email protected], or by telephone at (301) 975-5558.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Saikat Ghosh, Partnership Officer, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology's Technology 
Partnerships Office, by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2200, 
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, by electronic mail to 
[email protected] or by telephone at (301) 975-3084.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST is establishing the Methane Plume 
Remote Sensing Measurements Consortium (``Consortium'') to support the 
rapidly growing field of remote sensing for the detection and 
quantification of methane emissions, primarily from point sources. This 
Consortium aims to unite Federal and State agencies, academia, 
business, and industry to enhance robust transparency, accuracy, 
reliability, and interoperability of methane plume detection and 
quantification data products. In this rapidly growing and

[[Page 106437]]

evolving field of measurement and analysis, consistency across products 
and results, an understanding of the drivers of error, and a well-
constructed validation strategy are important to increase trust in the 
data products. To achieve this, the Consortium is focused on 
identifying strengths and limitations current methodologies and 
analysis approaches. The Consortium seeks to foster transparency 
through improved documentation, consensus building around best 
practices and the development of documentary consensus standards. In 
addition, the Consortium seeks to support the coordination and 
standardization of validation approaches for these measurements and the 
utilization of controlled releases. By fostering collaboration among 
business, Federal agencies, local governmental stakeholders, and 
researchers, the Consortium aims to drive advancements in methane plume 
detection and quantification and the analysis supported by them.

Consortium Goals

    The Consortium brings together NIST, state and local governments, 
academia, businesses, and other stakeholders to collaborate on 
analysis, documentation, and consensus building that will improve 
transparency, trust, and usability of remote sensing methane plume 
detections and quantification. The Consortium will also develop a 
tiered validation framework and assist in efficient deployment of 
controlled release experiments. Collaborative work across the wide 
range of measurement and analysis teams will be the most efficient 
approach to achieve our goals.
    This initiative aims to achieve the following goals, with work in 
two task groups:

Task Group 1

     Develop consensus terminology and a taxonomy of 
terminology. Publish a NIST report or other document with these 
definitions.
     Develop a set of written consensus standards that capture 
the best practices, recommendations for data product formats, and 
methodology documentation. This will be achieved through collaborative 
evaluation of intercomparison exercises and common datasets analyzed by 
multiple teams.
     Implement and analyze alternative validation strategies, 
incorporating information from simulations, cross-team analysis, 
controlled releases, and well characterized industrial emission 
sources.
     All of these activities will support the goals of 
developing standards for detection and quantification of methane plumes 
with remote sensing data to ensure consistency, reliability, and trust 
in the data used by all stakeholders.

Task Group 2

     Develop definitions for a tiered validation framework, 
allowing for approaches such as algorithm validation (with data from 
other measurement systems), algorithm assessment with simulated data, 
performance assessment with well-characterized industrial emissions, 
and controlled release experiments
     Consensus validation strategies will be developed and 
documented, incorporating information from simulations, cross-team 
analysis, controlled releases, and well characterized industrial 
emission sources.
     Document consensus standards for analysis and reporting of 
results of controlled release experiments
     Develop platforms for improved communication and 
utilization of controlled release experiments, maximizing participation 
by measurement teams and opportunities for cross comparison of results
     Create a repository of controlled release measurement 
datasets for easy access by new participants and for community 
analysis.
    Sharing of proprietary information developed by the Consortium will 
be subject to that detailed in the CRADA. Participants will not be 
required to contribute any funds or pay any fee. Contributions of data 
and/or methodologies is highly encouraged.

Participation Process

    Eligibility will be determined by NIST based on information 
provided by prospective participants in response to this notice. 
Submitted responses from prospective participants will be evaluated by 
NIST to determine eligibility to participate in this Consortium. 
Prospective participants should provide a letter of interest with the 
following information to NIST's Consortium Manager:
    (1) A description of their interest and experience in methane plume 
detection and quantification from remote sensing measurements and/or 
experience conducting and analyzing data from controlled release 
experiment for methane plume validation and/or related expertise 
necessary to contribute to Consortium activities.
    (2) List of interested party's anticipated participants.
    Letters of interest must not include business proprietary 
information. NIST will not treat any information provided in response 
to this notice as proprietary information. Following review, each 
organization will be notified of its eligibility. In order to 
participate in this Consortium, each eligible organization must sign a 
CRADA for this Consortium. All participants in this Consortium will be 
bound by the same terms and conditions. NIST does not guarantee 
participation in the Consortium to any organization submitting a letter 
of interest.
    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3710a.

Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-30952 Filed 12-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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