“Growth Energy Proposes Plan to Shift U.S. Fuel Policy”
Growth Energy has proposed a Fueling Freedom plan that calls for the phasing out of current ethanol supports by redirecting a portion of that funding to build out the infrastructure for distribution and use of ethanol – along with shifting the rest away from oil companies to opening the market. The idea is that funds currently going to the oil industry as an incentive for blending ethanol into gasoline would instead go to things like tax credits for retailers to install blender pumps – and also requiring as many as 120-million vehicles sold in the U.S. to be flex-fuel vehicles. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says the company is confident ethanol can and will compete successfully against oil in a fair and open market. Creating that competitive market will save money for motorists and taxpayers – Buis says – since it takes the control away from Big Oil and gives it to consumers.
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“NFU Says Growth Energy’s Proposal Good for All Americans”
National Farmers Union says Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom Plan provides an opportunity for all Americans to benefit because there is a significant need for a long-term vision to secure a domestic renewable fuel supply and significantly reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign oil. NFU policy supports the expansion of the production of flex-fuel vehicles – and the government’s purchase and use of flex-fuel vehicles and fueling them with renewable fuels. NFU President Roger Johnson says the plan released by Growth Energy sends a message to the Senate that something needs to be done in the way of energy policy. He says NFU supports the approach and is looking to Congress to move on the issue.
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“Ethanol Industry: Extension of Tax Incentives Necessary for Health of Industry”
In the wake of Growth Energy’s announcement – the American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers and Renewable Fuels Association reaffirmed support for the Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act and Green Jobs Act Thursday – two pieces of legislation that would extend existing ethanol tax incentives through 2015. ACE Vice President Brian Jennings says failure by Congress to extend ethanol tax incentives beyond 2010 will result in more jobs lost and reversal of energy independence – two consequences he says the U.S. can’t afford.
RFA President Bob Dinneen says now is not the time to add uncertainty and complexity to the energy tax debate because current tax policies to support the evolution of America’s ethanol industry have been successful. Sorghum Producers Chairman Gerald Simonsen says continuing the tax incentives is critical to add much needed green jobs throughout rural America. Simonsen states abandoning the credits now will have devastating effects on a growing ethanol industry. Dinneen says due diligence must be done to ensure the right ideas are put together to foster the continued growth of the industry.
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“New Apps Provide Easy Access to E85 Fueling Stations”
As long as we’re on the subject of ethanol – the Renewable Fuels Association has announced a new app for the iPhone – E85 Fuel Finder. The app will allow iPhone and iPad users to find E85 stations closest to them wherever they are or wherever they go. The app can even be used if the user isn’t in a service zone at the time. App users can add stations to a list of favorites so they can access, view or update the price per gallon easily, get driving directions through Google maps and directly contact a specific station by phone. RFA has also developed an E85 Point of Interest app for Garmin and TomTom GPS devices.
RFA Director of Market Development Robert White says ethanol fuels are readily available at the fingertips of America’s consumers with the two apps. He says improving the access of availability of E85 is an important step in educating and increasing awareness to drivers of the alternative fuel options they have available to them.
RFA is sponsoring a free download of the app for the first 500 users. The app normally costs $1.99 and can be downloaded at the App Store. RFA would like to remind everyone that only flex-fuel vehicles can run on E85. They suggest double checking owner’s manuals before using E85.
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“Senate Passes Financial Reform Legislation”
The House-Senate Financial Regulations Compromise Report passed the U.S. Senate yesterday (Thursday) by a vote of 60 to 39. A simple majority was necessary. The President is expected to sign the legislation. Earlier in the day – and by a vote of 60 to 38 – the Senate cleared a key procedural hurdle making the final vote possible.
Once signed by the President – the financial reform bill will impose new restrictions on risky financial instruments, create a special agency to look out for consumers and require banks and other financial institutions to hold more capital to protect against future financial upheaval.
The bill’s co-author – Chris Dodd of Connecticut – says the bill creates the tools and the architecture to allow good people to do a good job on behalf of the American public. He says it can’t give you your job back, restore that foreclosed home or put retirement money back in your account – but – he promised – we will never ever again have to go through what this nation has been through.
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“Senate Ag Leaders React Differently to Passage of Finance Regulations”
Senate Ag Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln says the financial reform bill will rein in the reckless Wall Street behavior that nearly destroyed the nation’s economy. Lincoln worked on the derivatives title. The Arkansas Senator says the legislation brings a 600-trillion dollar unregulated derivatives market into the light of day – ending the days of Wall Street’s backroom deals and putting money back on Main Street where it belongs.
But Senate Ag Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss claims nothing in the 23-hundred page bill deals with the primary catalyst of the market instability in the economy – the bailout behemoths Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Chamblss says the bill ignores the devastating impact these two entities continue to have not only on our capital markets – but also the nation’s deficit. Chambliss contends the rules will make it more expensive for ag banks – who had nothing to do with the financial crisis – to do business. As a result – he says farmers and ranchers, electric co-ops and ethanol facilities who seek financing from these institutions will bear the burden.
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says farmers need stability in commodity markets in order to function. He says the bill approved by the Senate brings meaningful reform to our economy – reversing the trend of reckless deregulation of the financial sector – which has brought great harm to American family farmers and ranchers and the economy as a whole.
R-CALF USA is also pleased with the Senate’s passage of financial reforms. CEO Bill Bullard says the legislation will increase transparency, close down loopholes in the regulation of commodities futures markets and reduce volatility in commodity prices. He says independent U.S. cattle producers are among the most significant commodity end users in the country – and as such – have suffered disproportionately due to the volatility in commodity futures markets and the impacts that rampant speculation and inadequate regulation have had on those markets. But he says this measure represents significant progress in achieving the goal of R-CALF members to reform the futures market so it can become a more useful management tool for cattle producers in the U.S.
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“Child Nutrition Bill Passes House Committee”
Federal child nutrition programs advanced one step closer to receiving new life Thursday as the House Education and Labor Committee passed reauthorization legislation that would also increase spending on food programs for infants and youth by eight-billion dollars over a decade. Current child nutrition programs authorization expires on September 30th. The reauthorization bill was authored by Senate Ag Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln.
Following passage – Lincoln said Congress is one step closer to delivering a bill to the President’s desk. She added that time is of the essence. She says Congress must not squander this opportunity to make historic improvements to our child nutrition programs that will put us on a path toward ending childhood hunger and reversing the trend of childhood obesity.
How to pay for the increase remains a problem for House Republicans.
In response to passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – First Lady Michelle Obama said the legislation will combat hunger and provide millions of school children with access to healthier meals – a critical step in the battle against childhood obesity. Mrs. Obama urged both the House and Senate to pass the bill without delay. She said the President looks forward to signing a final bill this year.
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“Secretary Supports Passage of Child Nutrition Bill”
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says House committee passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a positive step forward. Vilsack says the legislation complements the Senate’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act recently reported out of Committee – and both bills advance the Administration’s priorities. The Secretary urged Congress to continue making enactment of Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation a priority this year by finishing the process by the time kids head back to school this fall.
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“NFU Working to Reduce World Hunger”
According to the World Bank – 70-percent of the world’s poor are farmers. According to Chandler Goule – Vice President of Government Relations for the National Farmers Union – that’s morally appalling – as farmers are the very people whose livelihood is producing food for the world. Goule participated in a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. on Partnerships in Agriculture, Livestock and Nutrition Thursday morning.
According to NFU – studies have shown that it is in the best interest of farmers in the developed world to help agriculture in the developing world – assisting in building agricultural markets, techniques and infrastructure so they can feed themselves. As developing countries rise above subsistence level – they will ultimately become consumers.
NFU has long been committed to global food security and the fight to eliminate hunger. The group believes through investments in infrastructure – local and regional market access can be achieved – creating an environment for farmers to more easily sell their goods. This will also foster nutrition through a reliable food supply.
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“Program Supports At-Risk Families”
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded eight grants exceeding 4.6-million dollars through the Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Communities Project to strengthen outreach programs aimed at giving at-risk children, youth and families the skills and knowledge they need to lead healthy and successful lives.
CYFAR SCP has two strategic objectives: to support community educational programs for at-risk children, youth, and families; and to integrate CYFAR programming into ongoing extension programs for children, youth and families – ensuring that at-risk, low income children, youth and families continue to be part of extension/4-H programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities.
NIFA director Roger Beachy points out that CYFAR promotes positive youth and family development by supporting healthy environments and providing opportunities for learning and leadership by youth and adults in their communities.
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“ARS Scientists Battle Almost Destroyed Disease in Livestock and Wildlife”
Agricultural Research Service scientists are vaccinating bison in and around Yellowstone National Park against Brucellosis – an incurable disease that can cause abortions not just in bison – but also in cattle, elk and feral swine. Through vaccination – scientists hope to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby livestock. Though some cattle herds have been sickened in the past 10 years near Yellowstone – no herds are known to be infected in the U.S. now.
Brucellosis has been nearly eliminated in the U.S. from programs dating back to the 1950s – but its spread through wildlife in Yellowstone has brought about concern among cattle producers. The National Park Service is conducting an environmental impact study on a proposal to spend nine-million dollars for a new program to eliminate the disease in Yellowstone over the next 30 years.
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“USDA’s ELAP Provides Assistance to Those in Need”
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday more than 13-million dollars in disaster assistance being issued under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program to livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish producers suffering losses from disease, adverse weather or other conditions last year. Vilsack says the Obama Administration is committed to helping producers who have suffered devastating losses due to natural disasters – and this program will allow eligible producers that suffered losses in 2009 to receive emergency assistance payments that may be critical to their survival.
For more information visit disaster disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
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“USDA Provides Grants for Agricultural Marketing Advancements”
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced more than 1.3-million dollars in grants to 18 states supporting agricultural market research and demonstration projects. The grants are provided through the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program and focus on developing ag marketing strategies for a variety of projects like local and regional food projects, bio-energy projects, a farm-to-school project and food safety for direct marketers project. Vilsack says the projects reflect the new realities of today’s increasingly competitive global marketplace and are focused on developing innovative, more efficient and market-oriented ways to benefit the U.S. ag sector and support the nation’s economy.
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“USDA to Purchase Peaches”
USDA intends to purchase up to 23-million dollars of peach products and mixed fruit for federal nutrition assistance programs. Up to 18-million dollars will go for the purchase of canned clingstone peaches and mixed fruit in light syrup or fruit juice – and up to five-million will go to purchase frozen peaches. The department will seek the lowest overall costs by surveying potential suppliers and publicly inviting bids to assure bids are awarded to responsible bidders.
According to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack – these purchases will assist peach and mixed fruit producers – who are currently struggling due to depressed market conditions. These actions will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy and provide high quality, nutritious food to schools and food banks.
Each year – USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service purchases a variety of high-quality, nutritious food products to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. USDA also makes emergency food purchases for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
