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This Bill Really Stinks

A bill introduced by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) aims to exempt factory farms from the Clean Air Act and prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enacting a “cow tax” on the methane emissions generated by animal agriculture.

Last year, the EPA explored ideas on how to combat climate change, including regulating the emission of methane and other gasses originating from livestock. These greenhouse gasses generated by animal agriculture have been identified as a top cause of climate change and the new Obama Administration has pledged to make some changes. Although the EPA has not formally proposed levying permit fees – the so-called “cow tax” – the threat was enough to raise the agriculture lobby’s hackles. S. 527 has been introduced to protect animal agribusiness from being held accountable for their primary role in the global climate crisis.

Factory farms, generating more than three times the amount of waste produced by Americans annually, are destroying the environment. The EPA sourced the rise in dangerous methane emissions to the current trend toward confining pigs and dairy cows in larger, more industrialized facilities. In addition, they tied the rise in nitrous oxide emissions (another potent greenhouse gas) to the heavy concentration and overall expansion of the poultry industry.

Don’t let livestock producers shirk their responsibility! Contact your U.S. senators today to let them know this bill stinks. Send a quick and easy e-mail telling them to vote NO on S. 527.

Remember to personalize your letter with your own words and experiences to make it more effective.

*If you live in New York state, in addition to sending your e-mail, please also call Sen. Schumer’s office at 202-224-6542 to urge him to rethink his co-sponsorship of this bill.