A bill to amend Public Law 117-169 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using funds for methane monitoring to be used to monitor emissions of methane from livestock, and for other purposes.
Impact
The bill seeks to limit federal involvement in regulating methane emissions linked to livestock, which proponents argue could alleviate burdens on farmers. By restricting EPA's monitoring capabilities, the legislation is positioned to promote agricultural interests and minimize the costs and regulations that might arise as a result of stringent environmental monitoring. This could create a more favorable environment for livestock producers, allowing them to operate with greater autonomy from federal pollution regulations.
Summary
SB937 aims to amend Public Law 117-169 with a focus on methane emissions from livestock. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using allocated funds to monitor such emissions from livestock sources. The motivation behind this legislation appears to be a response to concerns from the agricultural sector regarding federal oversight and regulation, particularly around environmental practices that may impact farming operations.
Contention
However, the bill does raise significant environmental concerns. Critics argue that monitoring methane emissions from livestock is essential for addressing climate change issues and that prohibiting such oversight could exacerbate environmental challenges. There is a divide between the interests of the agricultural community, seeking to reduce regulatory pressures, and environmental groups advocating for stringent measures to manage greenhouse gas emissions effectively. The contention reflects broader debates on the balance between agricultural productivity and environmental protection.
Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act This bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.
Natural Gas Tax Repeal ActThis bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency that provides support for reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from facilities that contain petroleum and natural gas systems and emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases per year.