AgClips
Recent AgClips
Ohio nuclear subsidy bill designed to undermine wind and solar, experts say
Energy News Network | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsAnalysts say legislation to subsidize Ohio’s nuclear plants through the creation of a statewide “Clean Air Program” would discourage development of wind and solar energy because it would undermine renewable energy requirements set in place a decade ago. The bill would eliminate a surcharge allowing utilities to pass along their costs for complying with the state’s renewable portfolio standard, replacing a competitive renewable energy market with subsidies that appear aimed toward existing nuclear and coal power plants.
Denied: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission rejects Vectren's power plant proposal
Courier & Press | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy NewsThe Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission rejected a Vectren proposal to build an 850-megawatt natural gas-fueled power plant to replace its aging coal-burning A.B. Brown Generating Station.
Lawsuit Alleges Meatpacker Conspiracy
DTN | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Food NewsThe nation's largest meatpacking companies conspired to unlawfully depress fed-cattle prices paid to ranchers starting in 2015, a national cattle group alleges in a new class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Illinois on Tuesday.
Washington State Passes Law Requiring 100% Clean Energy by 2045
Green Tech Media | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy NewsThe Northwestern state joins three others in mandating that all of its electricity comes from carbon-free sources by midcentury, as its governor prepares for a run at the presidency.
Trends in U.S. Farm Labor and H-2A Hired Labor: Policy and Related Issues
Choices | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Agriculture NewsOver the past 15 years, the number of U.S. farmworkers has declined by approximately 12%, representing a loss of over 104,000 workers. The greatest decline, in terms of worker numbers, occurred in California and Florida. In 2017, there were 731,300 farmworkers in the United States, down from 836,000 in 2003. California, comprising the largest share of U.S. farmworkers, accounted for the greatest portion of this decline. In 2003, California employed 227,500 farmworkers representing 27.2% of total U.S. farmworkers.
Dairy group cries foul over new California Cattle Council
Capital Press | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe California Dairy Campaign is criticizing the manner in which the California Department of Food and Agriculture established the newly approved California Cattle Council.
Labeling bill causing friction among Oregon winemakers
Capital Press | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Food, SARL Members and Alumni NewsA bill designed to protect Oregon wine from out-of-state imposters is fermenting discord within the industry. Senate Bill 111 calls on the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to adopt new rules for enforcing wine labeling standards under state law, while also ensuring wineries pay a $25 per ton grape tax.The issue arose last year during a highly publicized feud between Willamette Valley winemakers and Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, based in Rutherford, Calif.
Dairy researchers look for milk-based beverages that don't need refrigeration
WSAU | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Food NewsDairy leaders from across the state are looking to help UW Madison research new ways to bottle and make the dairy drinks of the future. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin are contributing a million dollars worth of grant money to find a way to create dairy based beverages that don't need refrigeration.
Iowa pork producers stall utility efforts to upend solar net metering
Energy News Network | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy NewsIn their push to upend the economics of rooftop solar, Iowa’s major electric utilities are up against an opponent as politically potent as they are: the state’s pork producers. Hog farmers in the nation’s top pork-producing state have made clear that they don’t want legislators messing with their net metering arrangements.“Their voice is making a huge difference,” said Kerri Johannsen, who directs the Iowa Environmental Council’s energy program.
From lab-grown meat to fermented fungus, here’s what corporate food VCs are serving up
Tech Crunch | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Food NewsLike their corporate backers, startups funded by “Big Food” are a diverse bunch. Recent funding recipients are pursuing endeavors ranging from alternative protein to biospectral imaging to fermented fungus. But if one were to pinpoint an overarching trend, it might be a shift away from cost savings to consumer-friendliness.And what does the consumer want? This particular consumer would currently like a zero calorie hot fudge sundae.