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Wisconsin proposes pollution credits clearinghouse for farmers, municipalities

A bill in Wisconsin’s Senate might help farmers and the state’s water quality.  The proposal from Senators Robert Cowles, Jerry Petrowski, and Representative Joel Kitchens calls for improved pollutant trading, where a clearinghouse would provide payments to farmers for adopting nutrient management practices or new technologies to prevent phosphorus, nitrogen, and other pollutants from entering local waterways.

Senator Petrowski tells Brownfield this is one tool that can help keep more phosphorus in the soil and out of the waterways. “This is something that, you know, we’ve talked about doing something along these lines for a long time and I think this is part of a solution. It isn’t the whole solution, but I believe this legislation is a key piece to that puzzle.”

The credits would be sold to municipal water treatment facilities and industries to help them comply with stricter state pollution permit requirements.  The bill would require local government or industry to purchase credits that result in 20% greater reduction than they would be required to attain through facility upgrades.

The bill already has the backing of Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, the Wisconsin Corn Growers, and The Water Council.

The bill is open to additional co-sponsors until March 8^th, when Petrowski expects it will be sent to either the Senate Natural Resources Committee or the Agriculture Committee.

Wisconsin farm groups issued statements in support of the legislation.  Dairy Business Association Government Affairs Director John Holevoet says, “The current system for doing trades of this kind is well-intentioned, but trades are cumbersome to set up and get approved. The clearinghouse would make this a much more appealing option for those looking to buy and sell these new water quality credits.” DBA’s Aaron Stauffacher tells Brownfield, “Right now, the financial costs associated with a lot of really great water quality techniques are kind of cost-prohibitive, so through this bill, it would make it more practical and cost-effective for farmers to implement additional nutrient reduction practices.”

Wisconsin Corn Growers Association President Doug Rebout says, “Our members strive to be good stewards of the land and resources around them. This provision will recognize their efforts as they continue to provide a quality product.” He tells Brownfield the legislation can also help farmers financially. “As farmers, we’re doing the right thing out there in the environment. If we can find another way to help pay our bills in these tough economic times, we’re all for it.”

Farm Bureau President Jim Holte says, “This legislation will support increased generation and trading of water pollution credits between farmers and their municipal or industrial neighbors,” and says farmers share the legislator’s commitment to continually improving Wisconsin water quality.