Ben Nuelle

This afternoon, Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and GOP Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana will release a new version of their Growing Climate Solutions Act, a bill intended to speed the development of ag carbon markets. The measure would put USDA in charge of certifying credit verification services and technical advisers.

This week will be the most important so far when it comes to climate policy. In connection with a global leaders summit that President Joe Biden is holding online Thursday and Friday, the administration is expected to release a new pledge for reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow tells Agri-Pulse she expects a new bipartisan version of the Growing Climate Solutions Act to be released within a few days. The funding issues have now been apparently worked out with the bill, which is aimed at laying the groundwork for ag carbon markets.

President Joe Biden is releasing his fiscal 2022 budget proposal today, less than six months before the new budget year starts. His budget will only cover discretionary spending – those programs that are subject to annual appropriations, which includes research and rural development programs at USDA.