Cow Fart Tax

Cow Fart Tax

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Just when you thought the state government had thought of every way to separate you from your pocketbook, look out!

Democrats in Olympia have proposed a new bill that could tax … get this, the flatulence from cows, or excuse my language, cow farts.

House Bill 1630 would require dairy farms and feedlots to report the annual metric tons of methane emitted by cows in the preceding calendar year.

If the methane exceeds CO2 limits, those facilities could become regulated under the state's Climate Commitment Act, you know, the same law that boosted gas prices in Washington state …

SCHMICK … "So, if they find that there was sufficient methane equivalent to 25 thousand metric tons of CO2 emissions, these facilities would likely come under the Climate Commitment Act as covered entities."

That's Colfax Republican Representative Joe Schmick, who opposes the bill. Schmick says this proposal is an unreasonable attack on agriculture …

SCHMICK … "You're asking the growers to pay more taxes, more regulation, in a time when you have record low commodity prices and their costs are astronomical right now. It's just wrong!"

On top of that, researchers at UC Davis found that the methane created by cattle is recycled carbon, meaning it recycles carbon that already exists, unlike the new carbon created by burning fossil fuels.

Schmick says the cow methane bill is awaiting a public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee.

Previous ReportRollins on Back to Office
Next ReportCow Fart Myths Pt 1