Finds that methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas that is twenty times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Reducing methane emissions, therefore, is an effective means to reduce climate warming. The legislature also finds that about sixty percent of global methane emissions are human-influenced sources, such as dairy farms. While the legislature cannot control all sources of human-influenced methane, it can encourage the use of innovative mechanisms to control methane from dairy farms located in the state.

Declares that the state should be authorized to purchase carbon credits from dairy farmers in the state as an incentive for them to pursue appropriate measures to control dairy nutrients and their concomitant methane emissions from the environment. By offering this financial incentive, the state may enable dairy farmers to finance the development of anaerobic digesters and to produce electricity at a price that may meet the avoided cost of local utilities, thus benefiting dairy operations, the environment, and the need for cost-effective electricity.