Lincoln, Nebraska (May 22, 2009) - Nebraska Farm Bureau strongly opposes the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), which would cap the amount of carbon-based emissions from certain sectors of the U.S. economy, Keith Olsen, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau said May 21.

"What this means for agriculture is higher input cost on the farm or ranch. While most businesses are able to pass these increases off to consumers, farmers and ranchers are unable to do that and would simply take the hit. This piece of climate change legislation ignores the complex needs of Nebraska's very diverse agricultural industry," Olsen said.

The overall goal of the bill currently moving through the House Energy and Commerce Committee, looks to cap U.S. greenhouse gas emissions with a reduction of 83 percent by the year 2050. Companies with excess emission permits could then trade them off to other companies, something that is currently being done on a voluntary basis.

"Over the past several years, farmers have been voluntarily collecting carbon credits because of their improved agricultural practices such as no-till cropping and methane digesters that have reduced emissions from the agricultural sector," said Jordan Dux, national affairs coordinator.

Also, under the bill, states would be required to get certain amounts of electricity from wind, solar and biomass. The bill sets the number at 15 percent by 2020, plus it requires a reduction of energy use by 5 percent by 2020 through energy efficiency.

"Agriculture stands at a distinct advantage with its ability to sell carbon credits through common-sense farm and ranch management practices. However, we continue to be concerned that increases in the cost of energy will outweigh the gain a farmer would have in selling carbon credits. So industries like agriculture would see large cost increases in items such as gasoline, diesel, electricity and fertilizer with little to help offset the costs," Dux said.

Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry, who sits on the House Energy and Commerce committee, offered two important amendments. The first would exclude agriculture from being regulated under the cap and trade provision. The second amendment would have prevented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using international indirect land use calculations in determining compliance with greenhouse gas emission standards.

"We are lucky to have Congressman Terry on this committee. It allows Nebraska to have a voice on this extremely important issue. Even though most of his District encompasses the urban Omaha area, Terry's commonsense approach on this issue will benefit Nebraska agriculture," Olsen said.

"It is important for our leaders in Washington to understand that farmers and ranchers are currently doing a good job in protecting the environment and will continue to leave the land and the air we breath in better shape for future generations," Dux said.