"Cow Fart Tax": Congressman Sensenbrenner on EPA's Methane Gas Proposal

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, the ranking Republican of the House Select Energy Independence and Global Warming Committee, expressed strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plans to regulate methane gas emissions from cattle. In a June 9, 2009, interview with Megyn Kelly on the Fox News Channel, Sensenbrenner described the potential tax as "outrageous" and "ridiculous," citing the estimated costs of $175 per head for dairy cattle, $80 per head for beef cattle, and $20 per head for pigs.

Key Takeaways:

• Rep. Sensenbrenner opposes the EPA's plans to regulate methane gas emissions from cattle, calling it the "cow fart tax."
• The proposed tax would cost $175 per head for dairy cattle, $80 per head for beef cattle, and $20 per head for pigs.
• Sensenbrenner claims this tax would lead to increased prices for essential food commodities like beef, pork, and milk at the supermarket.
• The Congressman believes the EPA's regulation of methane gas is a misallocation of resources and a prime example of the "silly season" in Washington.
• Sensenbrenner has been fighting this proposal in Congress and is planning to vote on a package of regulations that includes the EPA's methane gas proposal later in June 2009.
• He suggests that farmers could avoid the tax by implementing alternative farming practices, such as feeding their cows alfalfa, flax, and grasses, which can decrease methane gas emissions.

Statistics:

• $175 per head for dairy cattle under the proposed tax.
• $80 per head for beef cattle under the proposed tax.
• $20 per head for pigs under the proposed tax.
• Methane gases from cattle account for approximately 20% of the emissions in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
• The estimated cost of the tax on farmers would be significant, with Sensenbrenner suggesting that it would be "a lot of dough" for them to pay.

Sources:

• Fox News Channel interview with Rep. James Sensenbrenner, Megyn Kelly, and other sources not explicitly stated as exact references.