Somewhere between boots and saddles, briefcases and taxis…

Global warming debate closed

Below is an email that sums up a very pressing issue in Washington, DC.  I cannot emphasize this point enough:  the debate over global warming has been closed.  I, like everyone else in cattle country, know the science and facts that dispute several of the global warming myths.  The issue I want to raise not only with ranchers but with all stakeholders (manufacturers, energy companies, and everyone that lives in this great country) is the fact that there is a very, very strong and concerted effort to pass legislation that decreases carbon emissions and tightens various environmental standards. 

You can debate it; you can fight it; and you can try to deny it;  but this push is real, and it is during these time that I feel it’s most important that I provide the countryside with the latest information and my assessment on the issues.  It’s not always the prettiest outlook and certainly not always the story I want to deliver.  But like my dad says: “You can have a weatherman who reports only good predictions for weather and makes you feel good for a moment.  ‘Course it’s a pretty nasty wakeup call when you base important decisions on it and the hay you decide to cut somehow gets rained on by a ‘clear skies and sunshine for the next 3 days’ weather report!”  In other words, I can deliver a warm, sunny message, but if lives and businesses are negatively affected by my misinformation, then I am providing a true disservice.  With that in mind, I wrote following update and include it here (that’s how important it is):

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Climate Change, Cow Tax, and EPA —-ok so not the words ranchers like to hear!! Jess

Howdy Friends,

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under the Clean Air Act, i.e. the “cow tax.”

It’s good to see that farmers and ranchers have shown a high level of interest in this issue. 
To read and learn more about the regulation click here:  http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0318 .

Several folks have emailed and wanted to know how “real” is this  “threat.”  One thing is for certain—-within the next ten years a law will be implemented that regulates green house gas emissions.  This law will be advanced through either regulatory rule making – like the EPA’s Clean Air Act or this law will be advanced through the legislative process. 

Today’s story in the Washington Post does make me a bit nervous about the future of EPA:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/27/AR2008112702184_pf.html

Plus Congressman Henry Waxman beating out John Dingell  http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002988933 for Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is yet another reason that it’s even more important for ag to be at the table during the continued climate change/cap and trade legislative discussions. 

Throughout this past year the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association has met several times with industry stakeholders and discussed various climate change legislation plans.  I am pleased that participants in these meetings have included the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Farmland Trust, various commodity groups, manufacturing associations, along with environmental and wildlife groups.  In other words—we have a powerful and diverse list of participants.  I hope we can channel a likeminded agenda through the legislative process.  I would choose this process over the regulatory process because I think we have a better shot of insuring our interests and policies are addressed through legislation. 

However, it needs to be made very clear.  If agriculture does not come up with some form of proactive measures it will get rolled in the process.  If you think climate change legislation won’t happen – think again.

It’s absolutely ridiculous that we have to deal with a never ending list of problems thanks to the excess of wolves in Montana and states all over the West.  However, in gauging support for these two issues in Washington D.C— the movement that reintroduced wolves to the West pales in comparison to the push to implement climate change laws.

In any case I am optimistic that we can all work together in writing climate change legislation that ensures agriculture is a part of the solution and not the problem.

Best Regards,
Jess Peterson

Tags: Global Warming, Jess Peterson