Friday, March 12, 2010

Climate Change

NFU is a key advocate for the role America’s agriculture producers can play in combating global climate change. NFU policy is in support of a national, mandatory carbon emission cap and trade system to reduce nonfarm greenhouse gas emissions if the following conditions are met:

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is granted control and administration of the
  • agriculture offset program;
  • Early actors are recognized;
  • No artificial cap is placed on domestic offsets;
  • Carbon sequestration rates are based upon science; and
  • Producers are permitted to stack environmental benefit credits.

Carbon sequestration projects on agricultural lands are the easiest and most readily available means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a meaningful scale. This past year, through the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program, NFU became the largest aggregator of agriculture carbon credits on the voluntary Chicago Climate Exchange, providing nearly $9.5 million dollars to our farmers and ranchers for no-till, minimum till, grassland and rangeland practices that capture carbon. endcap.gif

Supporting Documents:
NFU Climate Change Policy One-Pager
NFU Talking Points
Renewable Electricity Standard Facts
NFU Short Form

Testimony:
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Senate Agriculture Committee
House Agriculture Committee
House Small Business Committee

House of Representatives:
NFU Answers to House Agriculture Committee Questionnaire
Text of House-Passed Bill
Summary of House-Passed Bill
House-Passed Bill Roll Call
House Energy and Commerce Committee ACES Page
Congressional Budget Office Analysis of HR 2454

USDA:
Preliminary Analysis on the Effects of HR 2454 on Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Testimony before House Agriculture Committee
Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Testimony before Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Briefing: “Down to Earth Carbon Science: Mitigating Climate Change with America’s Farms, Ranches and Forests”
NDFU President Robert Carlson Presentation (Power Point)
Handout