Susan Collins for her efforts to support legislation that advances carbon-reduction efforts while supporting a vital sector of Maine’s economy: agriculture and forestry.
Department of Agriculture that would not only provide vital information about how to best adopt these practices, but also connect Maine farmers and foresters to certified third-party organizations looking to purchase the carbon credits they would accrue from doing so.
By taking this approach, the Growing Climate Solutions Act would help us reach a lower-carbon future sooner without risking the economic strength of the entire agricultural industry.
These private landowners and managers have an outsized role to play in developing and advancing solutions to address climate change, and the Growing Climate Solutions Act is the perfect way to bring them to the table in a voluntary, pro-growth way.
Not only that, but carbon sequestration can be increased by strengthening the fungal network which is known to increase the sequestration of carbon and improve soil quality, creating an added incentive for farmers and foresters alike.
That’s why it has such broad bipartisan support — it already passed the Senate by a 92-8 vote — and has won the seal of approval from major national environmental, agricultural, and business groups.
As a Mainer, I’m proud of all the hard work Collins has put in to reach across the aisle and work with her colleagues to pass smart legislation that would advance carbon-reduction efforts, protect Maine’s natural resources, and strengthen a key sector of our economy.