Mary Bono Mack

American Farmland Trust Applauds Rep. Mary Bono Mack on Taking Stand for Agriculture in Climate Change Vote

CONTACT:

Jennifer Morrill: 301-792-6238 (cell), jmorrill@farmland.org

Davis, California, May 29, 2009 —“We applaud Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) for voting her convictions and taking a stand for agriculture by voting yes on ‘The American Clean Energy and Security Act’,” said Ed Thompson, American Farmland Trust’s California director. “Last week the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed climate change legislation, which will be key to agriculture and others who care about the environment.”

The legislation will set a national limit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and create a cap & trade system that will enable the sale of “carbon reduction” credits. U.S. agriculture can help reduce GHG emissions by adopting new practices and technologies and by producing low-carbon renewable energy.

“In the near term, carbon sequestration projects on agricultural lands are the easiest, most readily available, and cost-efficient means of reducing GHG emissions on a meaningful scale,” added Thompson. “They will serve as interim measures until our country can develop new energy and transportation technologies.”

“There are many other Committees that will take up this bill before it goes to a vote on the House floor this summer. This bill is a good first step, but we look forward to working with
Rep. Bono Mack to ensure that the needed changes for agriculture are put into place,” said Thompson. “We hope the agriculture community will stand with Rep. Bono Mack and be a part of this key legislation. Without a comprehensive climate change bill that defines agriculture’s role and opportunities to protect and strengthen our environment, our sector could face onerous regulations in the future.”

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American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with communities and individuals to protect the land, plan for agriculture and keep the land healthy. As the nation's leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, AFT has ensured that more than a million acres stays bountiful and productive. AFT’s national office is located in Washington, D.C. The phone number is 202-331-7300.