KINGSTON, N.Y. - U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro has introduced federal legislation to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of methane by incentivizing dairy farmers to adopt clean energy practices.
According to an announcement by Molinaro's office, specifically, the act:
Creates methane product and practice testing capacity through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service;
Establishes and expands training programs that familiarize farmers and ranchers with practices that reduce methane emissions;
Adds practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane;
Directs USDA to review conservation practice standards that can assist in reducing methane and revise those as needed; and
Amends USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to provide financial incentives for farmers and ranchers to voluntarily use products and implement practices that reduce methane.
"Incentivizing dairy farmers to implement clean and efficient energy practices will further our cause and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Molinaro said in a press release.