Farm Bureau Tells Congress Greenhouse Gas Regulations Would Burden Farmers

Testifying on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation Tuesday – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer told a House Energy Subcommittee that many of America’s farmers and ranchers will face economic challenges due to the EPA’s plan to regulate greenhouse gases. He says the costs incurred by utilities, refiners, manufacturers and other large emitters to comply with GHG regulatory requirements will be passed on to the consumers of those products – including farmers and ranchers. In the end – he says that means the nation’s farmers and ranchers will be forced to contend with higher input costs to grow food, fiber and renewable fuels.

Once regulations are fully phased in under EPA’s tailoring approach – which will apply to farms and ranches that emit – or have the potential to emit – more than 100 tons of greenhouse gases per year – Shaffer says farmers will face another economic hit. He says those farms and ranches will be required to apply for and obtain a Title V operating permit. Based on EPA’s own number – Shaffer says obtaining these permits alone would cost agriculture more than 866-million dollars.

Farm Bureau supports the House-passed Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011. The measure prevents EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. The group is opposed to the regulation of greenhouse gases by EPA under the Clean Air Act.