Growing Climate Solutions Act Scheduled To Get Another Hearing Thursday

Perhaps it’s fitting that supporters of voluntary private carbon market legislation will make a second run at the idea, as the Senate Ag Committee plans to vote on the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act, Thursday, Earth Day. The legislation was first introduced last year, but has undergone several changes. The reworked bill has 34 Senate cosponsors, evenly split between the two parties, and backing from over 50 Ag and environmental groups.

“We are adding more farmers, ranchers and foresters to the advisory board, to ensure producer input is heard, we are prioritizing equity, to ensure its benefits reach underserved producers, we include the start-up funds, to get the USDA going quickly [to a tune of roughly $4 million]” said lead Democratic sponsor and Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow.

Plus a new scientific analysis to support the effort that now has the strong backing of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“This legislation will help remove barriers and provide clarity to farmers and ranchers and forest owners, as we consider participating in private carbon markets," said AFBF President Zippy Duval. "The reality of private carbon markets today, is a very difficult one, with different methods of measurements, and a range of pricing systems.”

Duval said the bill empowers USDA to let producers know of carbon market options, and develop a certification program, allowing farmers to reap profits from their 'climate-smart conservation efforts.

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