The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today applauded Senate passage of S. 1251, the Growing Climate Solutions Act.
The bill, introduced by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), would create a certification program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help solve technical entry barriers for farmers and forest landowners who want to participate in carbon credit markets. A companion bill was introduced in the House in April by Representatives Abagail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
The legislation targets three main roadblocks facing producers and landowners who want to participate in these markets, which are:
- Uncertainty about how to implement projects or navigate carbon markets.
- Uncertainty regarding trustworthy players in carbon markets.
- Lack of agriculture or forestry expertise by existing carbon market participants.
Changes made to S. 1251 since its introduction would also ensure greater farmer representation on the USDA advisory panel on carbon markets that the legislation would establish.
“America’s farmers and ranchers have a key role to play in addressing the climate challenge and the Growing Climate Solutions Act is a key step in bringing them the proven science, accurate data and standardization needed to make a positive impact,” said Chuck Conner, president and CEO of NCFC. “This bill has been bipartisan from the start, something reflected in today’s vote. All of us in agriculture need to help build on this momentum and we urge the House of Representatives to take up and approve its version of the legislation.”
