I was pleased to see our Republican gubernatorial candidates recognize the importance of our rural communities. Now the U.S. Senate has provided more good news to our rural citizens: the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act.
Introduced by two Republicans and two Democrats on June 4, this bill facilitates farmers and foresters’ participation in carbon markets, so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices. It is supported by more than 40 farm groups as well as businesses from McDonald’s to Microsoft.
Bill sponsor Sen. Debbie Stabenow says, “While farms and forests have been uniquely impacted by the climate crisis, they can also be an important part of the solution. Our bipartisan bill is a win-win for farmers, our economy and our environment by providing new economic opportunities to store carbon while also addressing the climate crisis.”
Let’s encourage Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney to cosponsor this bill, support our rural neighbors, and advance climate change solutions. In the Vernal debate, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said he responded to a Wasatch Front legislator who asked why we should care about rural Utah by saying, “I can’t think of any reason unless you care about your food, your water, your energy or recreation.”
David Folland, Sandy