II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1458 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 23, 2007 Mrs. Boxer (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide incentives for improved agricultural air quality.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Air Quality Incentives Act of 2007.

2.

Reduction of emissions of air pollutants and precursors of air pollutants

Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

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Air quality improvement

(a)

Availability of cost-share payments and incentive payments

In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall promote air quality by providing cost-share payments and incentive payments to individual producers to address air quality concerns associated with agriculture. (b)

Eligible practices, cost-share

(1)

Reduction of emissions of air pollutants and precursors of air pollutants

In addition to practices eligible for cost-share payments under this chapter, the Secretary shall provide cost-share payments to producers under this section for mobile or stationary equipment (including engines) used in an agricultural operation that would reduce emissions of air pollutants and precursors of air pollutants. (2)

Considerations

In evaluating applications for cost-share assistance for equipment described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize assistance for equipment that— (A)is the most cost-effective in addressing air quality concerns; and (B)would assist producers in meeting Federal, State, or local regulatory requirements relating to air quality. (c)

Locations

To receive a payment for a project under this section, a producer shall carry out the project in a county— (1)that is in nonattainment under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) with respect to ambient air quality standards for ozone, particulate matter, or both of those pollutants; (2)in which there is air quality degradation, recognized by a State or local agency, to which agricultural emissions significantly contribute; or (3)in which the Secretary determines that pesticide drift is a priority concern. (d)

Priority

The Secretary shall give priority to projects that— (1)involve multiple producers implementing eligible conservation activities in a coordinated manner to promote air quality; or (2)are designed to encourage broad adoption of innovative approaches, including approaches involving the use of innovative technologies and integrated pest management, on the condition that the technologies do not have the unintended consequence of compromising other environmental goals. (e)

Funding

In addition to amounts made available to carry out this section under section 1241(a)(6), of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section— (1)$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (3)$60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (4)$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and (5)$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.

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