USCC Federal Update from Carpi & Clay

By Frank Franciosi, Executive Director

The compost industry has come a long way in the 35 years since I have had the privilege of being involved. I remember back in the early 2010's where the USCC had limited conversations with the EPA related to persistent herbicides and other issues. Now, since September 2023, the USCC has been in talks with a number of lobbyists including Carpi & Clay. At the annual conference, the USCC board of directors voted to contract lobbyist Carpi & Clay to represent the compost industry in Washington! As a lobbying firm, Carpi & Clay provides full-service, bipartisan federal government relations services.  I am heartened to see the compost industry grow to collectively represent itself in DC. Each month, Carpi & Clay will update the USCC about movement and progress regarding legislation.

Congress Completes FY 2024 Appropriations

This month, at nearly the halfway mark of the new fiscal year, Congress successfully avoided a shutdown by passing two minibus packages. These measures provide funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The first package (H.R. 4366), comprising of six bills and totaling around $459 billion in discretionary spending, was signed into law on March 9. Two weeks later, the second package (H.R. 2882) encompassing the remaining six bills and totaling approximately $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending, was signed into law on March 23. With all 12 spending bills now enacted, the federal government's funding is secured through the FY 2024 which ends on Sept. 30, 2024. Congress has now shifted its focus to the funding for FY 2025, with members currently accepting requests for programmatic and community project funding.

President Biden Submits FY 2025 Budget to Congress

Following the State of the Union Address, President Biden submitted his FY 2025 Budget Proposal to Congress for consideration. The budget includes funding priorities for the Biden administration for Congress to consider when drafting FY 2025 appropriations bills. The budget details $7.2 trillion in spending for FY 2025 and protects a deficit reduction of two percentage points by FY 2034. A list of fact sheets on programs included in the budget can be found HERE.

Legislative Activity

Senate Passes Recycling and Composting Act
On March 12, the Senate passed the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (S. 1194) by unanimous consent. The legislation would establish data collection and reporting requirements for composting and recycling programs primarily at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA would be required to issue reports related to composting and recycling programs that inventory facilities that recycle residential materials, detail data related to curbside and drop-off recycling and composting programs, and disseminate best practices that states, local governments, and tribes can use to support recycling and composting programs. The bill now heads to the House where a companion bill of the same name (H.R. 4040) has been under consideration by the Energy and Commerce Committee since June 2023.

Federal Funding Opportunities & Announcements

USDA Announces $4 Million for Fertilizer Production
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $4 million in funding for Bluestem Systems through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program to build facilities and purchase equipment to produce a dry fertilizer mix. The innovative process removes water and pathogens to create dry fertilizer, and the funding will support production of 11,400 tons annual across three facilities in Iowa and Nebraska.

Federal Agency Personnel & Regulatory Announcements

DOE Releases Biomass Production Report
DOE released the “2023 Billion-Ton Report” on the sustainable production of biomass. The report details how the US could triple annual biomass production to more than one billion tons in a sustainable manner.

EPA Establishes Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
EPA established a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. The new office will be led by Rod Snydor, EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture, and will promote practical solutions to protect the environment while supporting farmers and rural communities seeking infrastructure funding and community improvement opportunities.

USDA Releases Biomass Supply Chain Report
USDA released a report titled “Building a Resilient Biomass Supply: A Plan to Enable the Bioeconomy in America.” The plan is a deliverable of EO 14081, Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. The report details steps such as researching and deploying improved biomass crops, using biomass residuals, and developing markets for biobased products through USDA’s BioPreferred Program.

About Carpi & Clay, Inc.

Carpi & Clay, Inc. is a top-ranked, federal advocacy firm that is recognized for its longstanding record of success. Established in 1986, our firm is located at the foot of Capitol Hill, steps away from the Capitol, and houses all six of our team members. Our firm was just recognized as a “2022 Top Performing Lobbying Firm” by Bloomberg Government.

For 37 years, the bipartisan Carpi & Clay team has represented, advanced, and protected our clients’ financial, legislative, and regulatory interests. Our success is a result of our comprehensive approach to advocacy. Within the context of an ever-changing legislative and regulatory landscape, we are direct advocates for and work closely with our clients to develop a meaningful and realistic assessment of their needs and opportunities for success. When it comes to working for our clients, we leave no stone unturned.