Padilla Introduces COWS Act to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions, Support Sustainable Waste Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, reintroduced the Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act (COWS Act) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air and water quality, and implement more sustainable alternative manure management practices. Representative Jim Costa (D-Calif.- 21) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"As California continues to provide food for families across the country, it's critical we equip our producers with resources and tools to ensure sustainable and cost-effective practices," said Senator Padilla. "Yet, today's climate crisis demands that we adopt a more sustainable agricultural model. This bill would invest in long-term and low-cost pasture management treatments - ultimately supporting our family dairies, improving the quality of the air we breathe, protecting our environment, and keeping California's cows happy."

As the top dairy state in the country and the second in cheese production, California is the largest producer of milk, butter, and specific cheeses like Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Queso Fresco. Dairy operations contribute billions to California's economy but are also responsible for 45% of California's methane emissions. Recognizing the urgency of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions like methane, California and the dairy industry are on track to reduce dairy methane emissions by 40% below 2013 levels by 2030.

The COWS Act promotes manure management conservation practices, proven successful under California's Alternative Manure Management Program, that will help our livestock industry achieve three goals: (1) modernize technologies for manure management that help boost profitability; (2) improve water and soil quality; and (3) reduce methane and nitrogen oxide emissions by fostering climate-smart farming. The legislation also directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize awards for underserved communities and beginning farmers or ranchers.

Specifically, the COWS Act would:

• Make alternative manure management practices eligible under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to award dairy or livestock producers grants to install equipment and infrastructure for pasture-based management, alternative treatment and storage practices, solid separation systems, and scrape technologies, and
• Provide technical assistance and training to aid in the implementation of eligible manure management and composting measures.

This legislation is based on California's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), which was established in 2017 to support non-digester approaches to manage manure. The program has since supported 198 projects that are estimated to reduce 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over five years.

In addition to Padilla, this bill is co-sponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

The COWS Act is endorsed by California Dairies, California Dairy Campaign, Environmental Working Group, National Farmers Union, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Milk Producers Council, and the National Milk Producers Federation.

"The COWS Act gives dairy farmers of all sizes practical tools to cut methane emissions, improve water quality, and generate valuable compost as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. At a time when California dairies are under real economic pressure due to low milk prices and high input costs this kind of flexible, EQIP-backed support is exactly what family dairies need. The California Dairy Campaign is proud to support Senator Padilla's leadership on this bill," said Lynne McBride, Executive Director of California Dairy Campaign.

"Milk Producers Council strongly supports the COWS Act," said Kevin Abernathy, General Manager of Milk Producers Council. "The science has shown that the implementation of post-conservation practices in the dairy ecosystem helps improve soil health, provides cleaner air and water, and leads to healthier animals. California's Alternative Manure Management Program has been a model for smart conservation practices, and the COWS Act would help expand this model nationwide."

"Dairy farmers do exceptional work on their farms to practice sound manure management, a critical conservation priority for maintaining healthy operations and protecting local land and water resources," said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. "Yet despite that leadership, oversubscribed conservation programs limit farmers' access to the tools and support they need. Expanding these opportunities will recognize the great work farmers are already doing and improve their ability to innovate on a much greater scale. We thank Sens. Padilla, Schiff, and Heinrich for introducing the COWS Act, which will support the variety of manure management systems dairy farmers rely on."

A one-pager of the bill is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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