AFBF Backs New GHG Legislation
Congressional approval would be needed for EPA regulation.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 4, 2011
The American Farm Bureau Federation is supporting legislation introduced in both the House and the Senate that would preempt regulation of greenhouse gases by the Environmental Protection Agency based on climate change considerations. The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 was introduced in the House by Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich. In the Senate, Senator Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., ranking member of the Environment & Public Works Committee, introduced a companion bill.
AFBF President Bob Stallman says the legislation is important because it would prevent EPA from regulating GHGs without prior congressional approval. In his letter to the authors of the companion bills, Stallman wrote that unlike other regulated pollutants, where Clean Air Act thresholds are sufficient to regulate the largest emitters, GHG regulation at statutorily required thresholds holds the prospect of costly and burdensome permit requirements on farms, ranches, schools, hospitals and some large residences.
Stallman noted that farmers and ranchers will be particularly disadvantaged under such a regulatory scheme. The costs incurred by utilities, refiners and manufacturers to comply with GHG regulations will be passed along to their customers, including farmers and ranchers, increasing their fuel, fertilizer and energy costs. Unlike other types of businesses, farmers and ranchers have much less ability to pass along such costs.
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Tagged: farm, Farm Bureau, EPA, fertilizer, Environmental Protection Agency
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