The U.S. Department of Agriculture intends to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council.
USDA is also seeking nominations for Council membership.
The new Council is authorized by the Growing Climate Solutions Act also known as GCSA.
The GCSA was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Council.
“The program authorized by the Growing Climate Solutions Act will enable USDA to reduce market confusion by connecting qualified providers and third-party verifiers who can offer technical expertise with producers seeking to obtain carbon credits,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
USDA Secretary Vilsack goes on to say “Establishing this Council with a slate of expert members from diverse backgrounds will be an important step forward in creating a program that can assist a wide scope of our stakeholders in accessing strong and verified environmental credit markets.
Secretary Vilsack also believes the Advisory Council can create new income opportunities for small and mid-sized farmers.
