EPA Proposes “Cow Tax”

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in preparation to regulate automobile greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. But first, in order to regulate automobile emissions, EPA has to make a finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and safety and should be classified as a pollutant. EPA is accepting comments through Nov. 28.

If that happens, says Ken Hamilton, executive vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau, “The regulation automatically initiates other provisions of the Clean Air Act. One of those provisions requires permits from anyone who emits more than 100 tons/year of a regulated pollutant, and there are millions of sources that emit more than 100 tons of carbon.”

In fact, USDA says that a producer with more than 50 beef cows, 25 dairy cows or 200 hogs would emit more than 100 tons of carbon and be subject to the permitting requirements.

“These thresholds would impact 99% of dairy producers, over 90% of beef producers and 95% of hog producers in the U.S.,” says Rick Krause, American Farm Bureau Federation director of regulatory relations. Under the proposal, if a state charged the “presumptive minimum rate” from EPA, the cow tax would be $87.50/head for beef cattle, $175/head for dairy cows and around $20/hog, he said.
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6 Comments on “EPA Proposes “Cow Tax””

  1. I believe your statements are incorrect. Cattle are a net negative CO2 source. The feed that is grown, if burned, would create a greater amount of CO2 than the cattle expel. They are actually carbon storage devices. The agriculture industry should be arguing to get Carbon Storage credits for raising cattle. A complete life cycle analysis should prove this to be correct.

  2. I believe your statements are incorrect. Cattle are a net negative CO2 source. The feed that is grown, if burned, would create a greater amount of CO2 than the cattle expel. They are actually carbon storage devices. The agriculture industry should be arguing to get Carbon Storage credits for raising cattle. A complete life cycle analysis should prove this to be correct.

  3. I believe your statements are incorrect. Cattle are a net negative CO2 source. The feed that is grown, if burned, would create a greater amount of CO2 than the cattle expel. They are actually carbon storage devices. The agriculture industry should be arguing to get Carbon Storage credits for raising cattle. A complete life cycle analysis should prove this to be correct.

  4. What the hell is the world coming to let alone this country. Don’t these idiots like to eat. I can honestly say that the person or persons that have the time to set around and dream up such stupid stuff such as this need to seriously consider going out and looking for a real job for once. One that they can get there hands dirty so that they might enjoy what they have and have to eat in this county.Let them think of that over the next steak, hamburger,pork chop, or even a glass of milk. Leave it to professional politicians to stave this country to death

  5. What the hell is the world coming to let alone this country. Don’t these idiots like to eat. I can honestly say that the person or persons that have the time to set around and dream up such stupid stuff such as this need to seriously consider going out and looking for a real job for once. One that they can get there hands dirty so that they might enjoy what they have and have to eat in this county.Let them think of that over the next steak, hamburger,pork chop, or even a glass of milk. Leave it to professional politicians to stave this country to death

  6. What the hell is the world coming to let alone this country. Don’t these idiots like to eat. I can honestly say that the person or persons that have the time to set around and dream up such stupid stuff such as this need to seriously consider going out and looking for a real job for once. One that they can get there hands dirty so that they might enjoy what they have and have to eat in this county.Let them think of that over the next steak, hamburger,pork chop, or even a glass of milk. Leave it to professional politicians to stave this country to death

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