Fort Worth, Texas - The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) strongly supported a resolution, introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), disapproving of the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). If the resolution passes the House and the Senate, it will overturn the EPA's decision to regulate GHGs.
"Texas ranchers take great pride in being responsible stewards of the environment and remain committed to preserving our natural resources," said Dave Scott, rancher and TSCRA president. "The EPA's decision to regulate greenhouse gases will drastically increase the cost of producing safe and affordable American food, putting many ranchers out of business."

TSCRA, along with more than 100 agricultural organizations, sent a letter to Senator Murkowski in support of her resolution. Murkowski filed a disapproval resolution after the EPA released an endangerment finding giving themselves the authority to regulate GHGs, something that would normally happen through legislation in Congress.

If the EPA regulates GHGs under the CAA, the cost would be overwhelming as millions of entities, including Texas ranches, would be subject to burdensome CAA regulations. If ranchers don't comply with the new regulations, they could be subject to fines.

These costly regulations would be based on what the EPA itself claims is a weak and indirect link between GHGs and public health.

The letter states that "the EPA's findings puts the agricultural economy at grave risk based on allegations of a weak, indirect link to public health and welfare despite the lack of any environmental benefit."

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.