AgClips
Recent AgClips
Survey: Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Oppose Cuts to SNAP Program
John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Food, Rural NewsA majority of registered voters oppose recent efforts to scale back Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and believe the government should be doing more to meet the needs of people facing food insecurity and other challenges. The survey, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research from June 5 to June 12, explores voter attitudes on several key farm bill issues, including conservation programs designed to protect U.S. land, water and food supply. The farm bill, when passed, will replace the Farm Act of 2014, which expires this year.
Coalition Urges California Board to Reject ‘Unimpaired Flows’ Plan
Ag Net West | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsUrging the state water board to reject a proposal to redirect flows in three Central California rivers, a coalition of more than 50 agricultural, water and business organizations encouraged the board to renew efforts for voluntary agreements with affected water users. “This unified response from groups representing farmers, ranchers, and urban and rural residents alike demonstrates the impact the water board’s proposal would have, and the need for the board to explore alternative methods that would help fish without the severe human cost of its current approach,” California Farm Bureau Fed
Administration predicts ‘moderate’ impacts from new Keystone XL route
The Hill | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Energy NewsThe Trump administration released a new environmental review for a portion of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, predicting some “moderate” impacts from its construction and operation. In its 300 page draft report, the State Department found that some of the biggest impacts from the project’s new route in Nebraska include injuries to wetlands and vegetation, but says much of the impact would be temporary. Monday’s release is just the latest development in a years-long, contentious fight over the Keystone pipeline.
Trump’s plan to bail out coal, nuclear misguided
The Vindicator | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Federal NewsDuring the 2016 presiden- tial election, Republican Donald J. Trump embraced a simple and straightforward political strategy: Tell the people what they want to hear.
Local governments take up effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change
Wisconsin State Journal | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsLocal municipalities are taking up the reins to combat global climate change as scientists around the world continue to sound alarm bells warning of the possibly irreversible effects of using greenhouse-gas emitting sources of energy.The Middleton City Council passed a resolution this month setting goalposts for utilizing renewable energy sources in 100 percent of energy consumption city-wide — for the city government’s operations but also for community residents and companies.Middleton’s plan is just one in the region either laid out or in the works.Dane County, which boasts 100 percent re
FirstEnergy won’t say what it’s done with Ohio grid modernization money
| Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsOhio regulators let FirstEnergy collect $168 million a year from ratepayers with virtually no strings attached for how it is spent.Ohio ratepayers have paid FirstEnergy’s utilities roughly a quarter of a billion dollars since January 2017 under a distribution modernization rider. The mandate for consumers to pay the rider is currently on appeal before the Supreme Court of Ohio.
From Congress, a call to help fishermen caught in trade war
Alaska Public Media | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Agriculture NewsDemocrats in the U.S. House are urging President Trump to give fisherman caught in the trade war with China the same benefits announced Tuesday for farmers. Sen. Lisa Murkowski issued a statement yesterday calling the aid to farmers an admission that “tariffs are hurting, not helping, our country.” She said American fishermen are also caught in the crossfire. They say America’s fishermen are hurt coming and going. First, they wrote, fishermen were disadvantaged by the U.S. tariff on imported steel and aluminum, which raises the cost of boats, crab traps and other metal gear.
Are property values affected by wind farms?
Center for Rural Affairs | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Rural NewsLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory completed a study in 2013 that used data collected from the sale of more than 50,000 homes in 27 counties, in nine different states. These homes were within 10 miles of wind projects, with 1,198 sales within one mile and 331 within half of a mile. This study also used data from before a project; the post-announcement, pre-construction period; and during operation. The study found no evidence of an effect on prices of homes in proximity to wind turbines.
Congresswoman questions USDA on Chinese chicken
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Federal NewsCongresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue questioning USDA’s process for approving three new Chinese poultry processing plants as eligible to export product to the United States.
A Dog Chasing its Tail Needs More Than a Band Aid
DTN | Posted onJuly 31, 2018 in Agriculture NewsSeveral weeks ago, Joni Ernst, junior senator, Iowa, was being questioned by the moderator of CBS' "Face The Nation" on the topic of trade war and the significant price the Trump administration's policy was extracting from pork producers and soybean farmers in her red/purple state. Sen. Ernst calmly declared that while her agricultural constituents were understandably anxious about the ultimate effectiveness of higher tariffs and continue to extol the virtues of free trade, Iowa proudly remained Trump country -- confident that the president's long-term plan made sense.