AgClips
Recent AgClips
Drug addiction tops list of rural concerns
The Daily Yonder | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Rural NewsA quarter of rural Americans say that drug addiction is the biggest problem their communities face, according to a new poll of rural residents. A lot of that assessment is based on first-hand information. About half of rural residents say they personally know someone, like a friend or family member, who has struggled with opioid addiction.
Rick Perry’s coal rescue runs aground at White House
Politico | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy NewsOne of the Trump administration’s major efforts to prop up ailing coal companies has run aground in the White House, a setback to an industry that had hoped for a major resurgence after Donald Trump won the presidency.
Zinke’s energy export plan knocked as 'harebrained'
Politico | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy NewsInterior Secretary Ryan Zinke drew immediate flak Monday for proposing to use military bases on the West Coast to export coal and natural gas despite the opposition of environmentally minded state governments — with critics saying it just won’t work. “It’s really impressive how this administration churns out harebrained schemes for their Department of Cock-Eyed Ideas,” Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state, a Democrat, told POLITICO. “The president must be getting really bad advice. It’s not going to work.
U.S. corporations break 4-GW renewable energy record
Solar Power World | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy NewsLarge U.S. companies are acting on renewable energy goals at a record pace. Through August of this year, they have already procured nearly 4 GW of utility-scale wind and solar capacity—breaking the previous full-year record, set in 2015, by nearly 750 MW. But the transmission infrastructure pipeline is likely not sufficient to meet corporations’ future low-cost clean energy needs.
MISO wins approval for new rules to link up external transmission
S & P Global | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy NewsMidcontinent Independent System Operator can change its rules to help pave the way for merchant high-voltage direct current transmission projects, a technology that could help move large amounts of renewable power over long distances, federal regulators decided Friday.
Washington to Decide on First-of-Its-Kind U.S. Carbon Fee
Bloomberg | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy NewsWhatever you do, don’t call it a tax. Voters in Washington state will go to the polls Nov. 6 to decide whether or not they want to impose a first-of-its-kind “fee” on carbon emissions. Ballot initiative 1631 marks the second time the state will vote to put a cost on emissions. A prior effort, labeled a carbon tax, failed when it was on the ballot two years ago.Proponents including Democratic Governor Jay Inslee and Microsoft Corp.
Rural America is on the frontlines of low-emissions electricity
Science Line | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Energy, Rural Newshe 6,000 residents of Alaska’s Kodiak Island are used to being on their own, and paying for it. A 10-hour ferry ride separates them from the nearest mainland town, keeping grocery prices high and tourism low. But the one thing the fishing port doesn’t overpay for is electricity. While the typical Alaskan forks over 21 cents for each kilowatt-hour to power their home, the island’s isolated inhabitants get away with around 15.
Supreme Court lets stand California ruling holding lead paint makers liable for $400-million cleanup cost
Los Angeles Times | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe lead paint industry’s efforts to avoid a cleanup bill for more than $400 million has reached the end of the road.The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to review California state court rulings finding Sherwin-Williams, Conagra and NL Industries responsible for lead paint contamination in thousands of homes built before 1951. That date is when the companies said their predecessor firms ceased actively advertising lead-based paint as a residential product.
Iowa Supreme Court takes Pinky the dog's case, will decide fate of Des Moines ordinance
Des Moines Register | Posted onOctober 16, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe Iowa Supreme Court will decide whether the ordinance used to confine a Des Moines dog for two years as a dangerous animal is unconstitutional. The court will accept briefs Tuesday in the case of Helmers v. City of Des Moines, which concerns a dog named Pinky whom the city deemed to be dangerous and impounded for two years after she injured a neighbor's cat during a fight.The city moved to have Pinky destroyed, but instead she remained confined at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, which contracts with the city, while her case worked its way through the court system.
Bayer Weighs Selling Its Vet Unit in Post-Monsanto Revamp
Bloomberg | Posted onOctober 15, 2018 in Agriculture NewsBayer AG is considering a sale of its animal-health business as it scrutinizes its portfolio in the aftermath of the $63 billion Monsanto Co. acquisition, people familiar with the company’s plans said.Bayer is evaluating animal health as part of a broader review, though a sale isn’t imminent, said the people, who asked not to be named because the appraisal hasn’t been made public. No final decisions have been made, and it’s still possible the German company could decide to keep the business.