WA lawmaker wants to collect data on methane emissions from cows
By Dan Thesman on Monday, February 10th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Nearly a month into the 2025 Washington Legislative session, some of the
more interesting bills are starting to emerge. House Bill 1630 would require farmers and
feedlots to start measuring the amount of methane cow emissions.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia), who was previously a
veterinarian and has a Ph.D. in biochemistry. HB 1630 received a public hearing in the
House Environment and Energy Committee this past Thursday.
“I don’t want to go too far in describing exactly what cows do to create methane, but
everyone can use their imagination,” Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla) said.
He explains the Republicans argue that the bill will result in operations being taxed,
which is already included in the state’s carbon auction.
“With the profit margins the way that they are, with our cattlemen, with our dairies, our
feedlots, putting aside the humor, it’s just a bad bill,” Klicker adds.
