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California regulates cow farts

MrLiberty

Bronze Member
Site Supporter
http://www.fox5ny.com/news/220448846-story

GALT, Calif. (AP) — California is taking its fight against global warming to the farm.


The nation's leading agricultural state is now targeting greenhouse gases produced by dairy cows and other livestock.


Despite strong opposition from farmers, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in September that for the first time regulates heat-trapping gases from livestock operations and landfills.


Cattle and other farm animals are major sources of methane, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide as a heat-trapping gas. Methane is released when they belch, pass gas and make manure.


"If we can reduce emissions of methane, we can really help to slow global warming," said Ryan McCarthy, a science adviser for the California Air Resources Board, which is drawing up rules to implement the new law.
Livestock are responsible for 14.5 percent of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, with beef and dairy production accounting for the bulk of it, according to a 2013 United Nations report.


Since the passage of its landmark global warming law in 2006, California has been reducing carbon emissions from cars, trucks, homes and factories, while boosting production of renewable energy.


In the nation's largest milk-producing state, the new law aims to reduce methane emissions from dairies and livestock operations to 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030, McCarthy said. State officials are developing the regulations, which take effect in 2024.


"We expect that this package ... and everything we're doing on climate, does show an effective model forward for others," McCarthy said.
Dairy farmers say the new regulations will drive up costs when they're already struggling with five years of drought, low milk prices and rising labor costs. They're also concerned about a newly signed law that will boost overtime pay for farmworkers.


"It just makes it more challenging. We're continuing to lose dairies. Dairies are moving out of state to places where these costs don't exist," said Paul Sousa, director of environmental services for Western United Dairymen.
The dairy industry could be forced to move production to states and countries with fewer regulations, leading to higher emissions globally, Sousa said.


"We think it's very foolish for the state of California to be taking this position," said Rob Vandenheuvel, general manager for the Milk Producers Council. "A single state like California is not going to make a meaningful impact on the climate."


Regulators are looking for ways to reduce so-called enteric emissions — methane produced by bovine digestive systems. That could eventually require changes to what cattle eat.


But the biggest target is dairy manure, which accounts for about a quarter of the state's methane emissions.


State regulators want more farmers to reduce emissions with methane digesters, which capture methane from manure in large storage tanks and convert the gas into electricity.


The state has set aside $50 million to help dairies set up digesters, but farmers say that's not nearly enough to equip the state's roughly 1,500 dairies.


New Hope Dairy, which has 1,500 cows in Sacramento County, installed a $4 million methane digester in 2013, thanks to state grants and a partnership with California Biogas LLC, which operates the system to generate renewable power for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
Co-owner Arlin Van Groningen, a third-generation farmer, says he couldn't afford one if he had to buy and run it himself.


"The bottom line is it's going to negatively impact the economics of the California dairy industry," Van Groningen said of the new law. "In the dairy business, the margins are so slim that something like this will force us out of state."


State officials say they're committed to making sure the new regulations work for farmers and the environment.


"There's a real opportunity here to get very significant emissions reductions at fairly low cost, and actually in a way that can bring economic benefits to farmers," Ryan said.


I understand the cork industry just got very busy...:yum::yum::yum:
 

300 H and H

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
Amazing the idiots are smart enough to breath on the left coast. :glare:

California is for idiots I think. Used to be a nice place to visit. Not sure now.

They sure can send some stupid politicians to Washington D.C., as we have all seen with the current crop of left wing extremist idiots..

They are also requiring larger cage sizes for laying hens in egg production. Even if the eggs are produced out of State. I think before long the food chain will end at the eastern border of California. Maybe starvation from high food prices will get their attention.

If all else fails maybe they can find a way to eat the sand they live on...

Regards, Kirk
 

mla2ofus

Well-known member
GOLD Site Supporter
Kalifornia is just a glaring example of over regulation for other states to see and learn what not to do.
Mike
 

Danang Sailor

nullius in verba
GOLD Site Supporter
Cali is just following the example of Their Most Esteemed National Hero!


Cow-Stuff-AEA-590.jpg


Note that this Branco cartoon is from 2014!

 

nixon

Boned
GOLD Site Supporter
Wonder how hot it would be now if all those millions of Buffalo were still roaming around ...
 

JimVT

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I have a cow methane 1.5 miles from my place. they have pipes from a couple dairys and haul it in. it is fortified with chicken blood and some other stuff. after the gas is taken the farmer has to take the same volume back and dispose of it. some is sold. you can just back a water truck up and get your own stuff free.
they pay only for the gas .
jim
 

road squawker

Active member
GOLD Site Supporter
Wonder how hot it would be now if all those millions of Buffalo were still roaming around ...

I lived in Southern Ca for 30 years, it got to be too much for me and I sold everything and left. that was 20 years ago.

When I was there, on Camp Pendleton (near San Diego) there was a buffalo herd that freely roamed the base, not a large herd, about 50 to 75.

there were marines assigned 24/7 to follow the herd and ensure that when they roamed into certain areas that certain operations (live gunfire/artillery training, ect.) were halted for their safety.

I just did a search and found this, so it seems like they are still there
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...o-roam&usg=AFQjCNGoVsuuwDQHJpPLvpZPrxjRh2ImvQ
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
I lived in Southern Ca for 30 years, it got to be too much for me and I sold everything and left. that was 20 years ago.

When I was there, on Camp Pendleton (near San Diego) there was a buffalo herd that freely roamed the base, not a large herd, about 50 to 75.

there were marines assigned 24/7 to follow the herd and ensure that when they roamed into certain areas that certain operations (live gunfire/artillery training, ect.) were halted for their safety.

I just did a search and found this, so it seems like they are still there
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...o-roam&usg=AFQjCNGoVsuuwDQHJpPLvpZPrxjRh2ImvQ

Kewel!:biggrin:


Sadly for them, the herd is trapped in lala land.:sad:
 
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