Reps. Mike Lawler and Josh Riley have introduced the Leveraging Efficiency Awareness for Pumping Systems (LEAPS) Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at aiding farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture producers in reducing energy costs, conserving water, and cutting carbon emissions. The bill seeks to modernize irrigation and water management systems across the United States.
The proposed legislation tasks the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with providing clear information and tools to help farmers upgrade to energy-efficient pumping systems. These systems play a crucial role in agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, aquaculture, and waste management operations nationwide.
Under the LEAPS Act, the USDA would be required to publish educational materials detailing cost savings, energy efficiency benefits, water conservation strategies, and emission reduction possibilities linked to advanced pumping systems. Additionally, an online pre-assessment tool would be developed to help farmers estimate potential savings from system upgrades. Targeted training for USDA energy auditors on pumping system efficiency is also part of the proposal. Moreover, it plans to expand the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program to explicitly include these efficient systems.
The bill’s findings indicate that over 600,000 irrigation pumping systems are currently operational in the U.S., many of which are outdated. Modernizing these could save over $1.8 billion annually in energy costs while eliminating more than 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year.
Congressman Lawler emphasized that “in today’s economy,” farmers face rising input costs and weather challenges; thus smarter tools are necessary “to support the people who feed our country.” He highlighted that equipping farmers with appropriate resources can enhance productivity while protecting the environment.
Congressman Riley noted that although farmers recognize when their equipment is outdated, determining what upgrades are needed can be challenging. He stated that this bill provides essential tools for making informed decisions about upgrades which also benefit local manufacturers in Upstate New York.
Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District and has been recognized as one of Congress’s most bipartisan members as well as being rated as its most effective freshman lawmaker during his tenure.
