Proposed Washington State Bill HB 1630 Will Force Farmers to Report Livestock Methane Emissions

Locals say this law is just a precursor to a carbon tax on cattle. A public hearing on HB 1630 is scheduled for tomorrow, February 6.

The state of Washington is considering a bill that will require dairies and feedlots to report their methane emissions.

Farmers believe House Bill 1630 is the first step to a tax on cattle emissions. Last year, Denmark became the first nation to enact a livestock emission tax.

HB 1630 would require dairy and feedlot owners to submit annual reports to the state Department of Ecology detailing the total tons of methane emitted by the facility. House Democrats supporting this bill claim the data will provide a fuller picture of the climate impact from livestock.

Cattle are responsible for about 3.7% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists believe cattle sequester an enormous percentage of carbon through grazing.

Is HB 1630 a precursor to a livestock emissions tax?

Washington already has laws requiring certain companies such oil and gas companies to pay for carbon offsets, a policy that has made the state millions of dollars. The state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) sets out policies for such offsets.

Rep. Joe Schmick, a Republican from Colfax, told local radio station KIRO that HB 1630 is merely a precursor to taxing farmers for their cattle.

“If they find that there was sufficient methane equivalent to 25,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, these facilities would likely come under the Climate Commitment Act,” Schmick said.

HB 1630 has been referred to the House Environment & Energy Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, February 6.

If you wish to submit a public comment on the bill, you can do so here.