A bill that initially would have set carbon sequestration goals for natural and working lands has now been amended to reflect the concerns of ag groups.
Sen. Nancy Skinner of Berkeley said her measure would support farmers by setting up the protocols needed to participate in private carbon markets. Skinner has replaced the provision on setting goals with one of developing a strategy to serve as a framework for increasing carbon capture practices.
Sen. Susan Eggman of Stockton thanked Skinner for “working with the agriculture community to make sure nobody was harmed with this.”
Farm groups also dropped their opposition to a bill that would develop “climate hubs” to serve impacted communities. The groups feared the program would be funded through credits set aside for agricultural and industrial ratepayers investing in clean energy. The author has since cleared up the language in the bill.
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Another climate bill debated this week faces agricultural opposition as well. The measure would set a goal for California to reach 90% carbon neutrality by 2045, with a focus on nature-based solutions. Opponents argue that both “carbon neutrality” and “nature-based solutions” are poorly defined and it would set a limit on carbon removal technologies.
