AgClips
Recent AgClips
Washington state suing Monsanto over PCB pollution
The Seattle Times | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Rural NewsWashington says it’s the first U.S. state to sue the agrochemical giant over pollution from PCBs. Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the lawsuit at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls, were used in many industrial and commercial applications, including in paint, coolants, sealants and hydraulic fluids. PCB contamination impairs rivers, lakes and bays around the country.
Fast-food chief who touts immigrant workers gets Labor nod
Agri-Pulse | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Federal NewsPresident-elect Donald Trump has selected fast-food executive Andy Puzder to run the Labor Department, which oversees OSHA, enforces wage rules and manages guest-worker programs on which many farms and others in the food industry rely. Trump said Puzder “will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous … and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages.” Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants, which operates the Hardee's and Carl's Jr.
Tyson eager to meet antibiotic-free chicken demand
Watt Ag Net | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Food NewsPresident of Tyson Foods says company can offer customers ‘exactly what they want,’ and they want chicken raised without antibiotics.Hayes, who was named Tyson’s president in June and will take over as its CEO at the conclusion of 2016, discussed Tyson’s venture into NAE chicken while participating in the Bernstein Consumer Summit on December 7.“The consumer’s looking for certainly more antibiotic-free (chicken) and we have a line that is no antibiotics ever.
Missing science, disagreement surrounds fracking report
High Country News | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Energy NewsThe report that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued in November intends to begin closing the door on questions over what happened with Pavillion’s water, but did not take into account outside science saying that door should not be closed so quickly. An earlier article, published by Stanford University scientists in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, stated hydraulic fracturing had impacted drinking water in the Pavillion area, and called for further investigation.
Private land conservation surges in U.S., with the help of nonprofit trusts
Minnesota Post | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in NewsSo here’s a good-news story about American stewardship of undeveloped land: Over the past five years, 9 million acres have been protected from development — a pace that averages about 5,000 acres per day — by private landowners assisted by nonprofit land trusts.The achievement brings the nationwide acreage protected with land-trust assistance to an overall total of 56 million acres, which is “double the size of all the land in national parks across the lower 48 states.”
Rural Mainers deserve at least as much conservation attention as rural land
Bangor Daily News | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Rural NewsOur state places a high value on protecting rural lands from the northern creep of hustle and bustle, but what about the people? What about the communities that foster rural wisdom and make rural places interesting places to visit? Rural Mainers provide the Mainer flavor that enhances any tourist’s Maine experience and all of our collective experience. The people who espouse the sensibilities born of a more rural lifestyle are a vital natural resource and deserve at least as much conservation attention — politically and financially — as we give to rural land.
How to encourage entrepreneurship in your town
Strong Towns | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Rural NewsEntrepreneurship is a hot word these days. Lots of towns say they would like to attract more entrepreneurs and grow their small business communities. But how do you do it? There are many ways to encourage entrepreneurship in your community, both through government leadership and private sector/neighborhood-level work. 1. Adjust zoning codes to reduce business costs.2. Help facilitate walkable business districts. 3. Simplify local regulations for starting new businesses. 4. Dedicate resources to economic gardening. 1. Provide easy access to small business loans and/or grants. 2.
States Taking the Lead in Renewable Energy Growth
25 X 25 Blog | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Energy NewsWhile there may be some uncertainty as to how renewable energy policy may play out in Washington over the next few years, ongoing developments at the state level demonstrate the persistent strength of policy leadership being demonstrated across the country. Just last week, Illinois legislators locked in the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) – by 2025, at least 25 percent of the state’s electricity needs will be met with renewable energy sources like wind and solar.Furthermore, the measure, which Gov.
EPA's Heir Apparent, Scott Pruitt, Speaks Out on His Stance to Hot Button Issues WOTUS and RFS
Oklahoma Farm report | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Federal NewsSince being named the President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee as administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, sitting Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt made his first public appearance at a Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting this morning. KWON Radio News Director Charlie Taraboletti had the chance to visit with Pruitt briefly at the breakfast, where Pruitt offered some comments regarding his stance on a couple issues he will soon be given authority over, including the Waters of the US rule (WOTUS) and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Is Solar Power A Good Investment? Renewable Energy Has Paid For Itself As Far As Carbon Dioxide Is Concerned
International Business Times | Posted onDecember 9, 2016 in Energy NewsCritics of solar power have long contended that the technology is a hoax. The panels may appear to create clean energy but, when taking into account the fossil fuels burned to create electricity to manufacture the panels, they become quite dirty, opponents say. But a new study has found that solar panels make up for those emissions and then some over a 30-year lifetime.