In the News

EXCLUSIVE: Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York and Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan have introduced a measure that provides farmers with funding to reduce carbon emissions and nutrient pollution – a bill that already has a Senate companion, and could be considered in the upcoming farm bill.

The House measure, dubbed the “CROP for Farming Act” and first obtained by the Washington Examiner, would amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand access to funds for farmers looking to voluntarily reduce their emissions. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which falls under the decades-old law, pays farmers to plan and implement conservation projects – and under this bill, would make three agricultural practices eligible for federal funds: reducing nitrous oxide and methane emissions, and storing carbon in soil and plants. Read the bill here. 

"As a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus and Co-Chair of the Appalachian Trail Caucus, ensuring that we preserve our environment for future generations is very important to me," Lawler said in a written statement. "This legislation will help our farmers and incentivize innovative practices that ensure a cleaner, better future for everyone. That's something we can all support, regardless of politics."

According to an analysis from activist organization Environmental Working Group, total EQIP payments to farmers between 2017 and 2020 totaled more than $3.6 billion – but only 23% of payments went toward mitigating climate change. The offices cited this study in a fact sheet to explain that an expansion of the EQIP program would aid farmers in reducing agriculture-related emissions, and help the U.S. reach its climate goals by 2050.

The bipartisan measure has nearly 30 organizations endorsing the measure, including green groups such as Earthjustice and Evergreen Action.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy-environment/daily-on-energy-lawler-and-slotkin-look-to-get-more-farmers-paid-for-reducing-emissions?fbclid=IwAR2Rb2MwV3mr_AMrfvuWf6g7w8duh9bca4GjuMt0u3GFaSYNrMdr5FeriXM