The Wisconsin State Assembly today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Cowles (RGreen Bay), Representative Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), Senator Miller (D-Monona) and Representative Fields (DMilwaukee) which would accelerate Wisconsin’s water quality trading programs, leading to a more economically sustainable path to improve the state’s water quality.
“As you look around the country it is great to see leaders at the highest levels in Wisconsin, from both parties, focusing on innovative approaches to water quality improvement. The legislation provides the extra element of certainty and accessibility needed for farms, industry and wastewater treatment plants to drive sustainable change,” said Steven Rowe, CEO of Newtrient.
The advancement of this legislation will boost the current programs and put Wisconsin at the forefront of marketdriven, clean water solutions. Farms of all sizes are incentivized to voluntarily adopt new practices and technologies beyond what they’re already doing, the community reaps the benefits of lower cost clean water projects and municipalities and industry can reach required reductions at a much lower cost.
“Over the years dairy farms have made tremendous strides in how we do business and care for the land by using innovative technologies and best practices. This legislation is a win-win, giving farms an opportunity to work with the community and expand what we’re already doing, resulting in cleaner water at a lower cost to all,” says Tom Crave, Dairy Business Association (DBA) Board President and Wisconsin farmer and cheesemaker.
On May 15, 2019, the bill was passed by a unanimous vote (32-0) in the state Senate and advances with a bipartisan group of 49 co-sponsors from throughout the state.
“This is a step in the right direction for agriculture, the community and the environment. Newtrient will now look to how we can help Wisconsin build programs that are easily accessible and sustainable for dairy farmers,” says Steven Rowe.
Rowe thanks the Governor, Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader for placing water quality issues on the state’s policy agenda, and the diverse supporters of this legislation including environmental groups, farmers and industry trade organizations.
Newtrient LLC was formed by 14 leading dairy organizations and represents nearly all US dairy farmers. Created to reduce the environmental footprint of dairy and make it economically viable to do so, Newtrient delivers innovative technology, manure-based product and market-driven solutions to create added value for farmers, communities and the environment.
