Problem Solvers Caucus supports bipartisan, bicameral Bacon climate bill

The Problem Solvers Caucus on Aug. 13 endorsed bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) in his chamber that would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a program easing entry by farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in the voluntary carbon credit marketplace.

“Our ag community takes pride in being good environmental stewards and leaders,” said Rep. Bacon. “To help them achieve this, they need access to reliable information about markets, technical assistance barriers, and credit protocol verifiers that give landowners the confidence and knowledge they need to benefit from the practices of sustainable agriculture while feeding the globe and regenerating our lands and waters.”

In June, Rep. Bacon introduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021, H.R. 2820 / S. 1251, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), while U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced their chamber’s version.

If enacted, the measure would authorize USDA to establish a voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets and allow farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners to buy or sell agriculture and forestry credits, according to the congressional record bill summary.  

Specifically, the program would voluntarily connect landowners to certified technical assistance providers to solve technical entry barriers and increase access to carbon credit markets, thereby making it easier for landowners to implement climate-smart practices and monetize the adoption of conservation and sustainable land use activities, says a summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s staff.

In addition to Rep. Bacon, more than 75 percent of Problem Solvers Caucus members endorsed the bill, which is cosponsored by fellow GOP caucus members, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), John Curtis (R-UT), John Katko (R-NY), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Tom Rice (R-SC), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH). More than 75 entities, including national and state organizations, corporations, and groups, also support the bill. 

“This bipartisan bill will benefit farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in both Nebraska and across the U.S. by helping them navigate and participate in carbon credit markets,” Rep. Bacon said. “This will, in turn, reduce global greenhouse emissions and shape climate policy to include sustainable agricultural practices that have both the consumer and environment in mind.”