Market-based climate bill is a sensible solution

By CHRIS ELMORE

Guest Columnist

The next generation of Republicans in Indiana and across the country is ready for conservative leadership on clean energy and environmental issues. That is why I am so thankful to have Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young representing our state’s interests in the Senate.

As sponsor and cosponsor, respectively, of the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), Senators Braun and Young are showing that it is possible to tackle big issues like environmental protection and climate change in a way that does not rely on growing the size of the government or forcing burdensome regulations onto private businesses.

Instead, the GCSA would leverage the power of the free market to incentivize farmers and foresters nationwide to incorporate climate-friendly agriculture practices into their operations. The bill would do this by making it easier for farmers to take advantage of existing carbon credit markets where they could sell the credits they earn from adopting these sustainable farming techniques. That helps our environment while providing stable new sources of revenue for farmers, in turn benefitting our entire economy.

The GCSA is a smart, bipartisan, market-based solution that will help reduce emissions while powering economic growth. These are the kinds of policies for which young conservatives are clamoring. Both our Senators deserve credit for helping advance this much-needed legislation – and I hope Representative Victoria Spartz will help support it in the House.