National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD SUPPORTS MURKOWSKI EFFORT TO PREVENT EPA FROM REGULATING GREENHOUSE GASES

WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 9, 2010—The National Association of Conservation Districts today expressed support for S.J. Resolution 26—a joint resolution disapproving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act—in a letter from NACD President Steve Robinson to resolution sponsor and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

Robinson, a producer from Marysville, Ohio, stated in his letter, “NACD believes that the EPA should not move forward with its proposed greenhouse gas regulations.

“A top-down, regulatory approach with limited public involvement is not the appropriate means for addressing such a complex issue with wide-ranging economic effects,” he said, stressing that Congress should engage in an open and honest discussion regarding our nation’s energy policy.

“NACD and its members support voluntary, locally-led conservation efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,” Robinson said. “Many districts are already working with landowners on carbon reduction and sequestration efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We continue to support the development of technology that facilitates cleaner use of fossil fuels and expansion of renewable energy from wind, solar, biomass and geothermal sources.”

In 2009, the EPA determined that six greenhouse gases were a threat to public health and began the process of regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Murkowski’s resolution would prevent EPA from moving forward with its regulations. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the resolution on Thursday.

The full text of the letter is available at http://nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/.

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The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD's website is at www.nacdnet.org.