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New York's 'zero-emission' nuclear power credits upheld by utility regulators

Mass Live | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Energy News

Utility regulators in New York this week signaled their continued support for a clean energy plan that would subsidize three nuclear power plants for twelve years as a "bridge to renewables." The New York Public Service Commission rejected or delayed 17 petitions to reconsider aspects of its Clean Energy Standard, which contains the nuke-friendly zero emission credits, reports RTO Insider. The energy standard requires New York to acquire 50 percent of its energy from low-carbon resources by 2030.


Net metering rules in Pennsylvania are challenged

earthship 360 | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Energy News

An Allegheny County solar developer is challenging the state Public Utility Commission’s authority to adopt new alternative energy regulations in a complaint filed this week in Commonwealth Court.  David Hommrich of Green Tree, who is representing himself in the case, wants the court to declare that the agency has no authority to put limits on a clean energy incentive granted by the Legislature in 2007. The PUC’s regulations, which took effect on Nov.


U.S. scrambles to clear egg exports to bird flu-hit Korea

Reuters | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Agriculture News

U.S. officials are urgently seeking an agreement with South Korea that would allow imports of American eggs so farmers can cash in on a shortage caused by the Asian country's worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. The two sides are negotiating over terms of potential shipments after South Korea lifted a ban on imports of U.S. table eggs that it imposed when the United States grappled with its own bout of bird flu last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If an agreement is reached, U.S.


USDA announces new conservation farmland transfer policy

Magic Valley | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Federal News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new policy designed to allow farmers to take land out of a conservation program early if it is to be transferred to the next generation of farmers.Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam says beginning Jan. 9, the USDA will offer an early termination opportunity for certain Conservation Reserve Program contracts.


Ohio State researchers team up to fight algae blooms

Columbus Dispatch | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Agriculture News

Scientific research has always been more of an individual endeavor.  But during the past decade, research aimed at tackling real-world problems has become a team sport that pulls players from a spectrum of lab benches. At Ohio State University, one such interdisciplinary collaboration has spent five years trying to find a solution for the harmful algae blooms that annually plague lakes and rivers in the state’s western water basin. By uniting biologists with ecologists, political scientists and economists, the team did more than test a single hypothesis.


7 states will have higher gas taxes Jan. 1

USA Today | Posted onJanuary 3, 2017 in Energy News

Motorists in nine states will see changes in gas taxes at the pump on New Year’s Day, and more than a dozen states will examine adjustments in 2017. Pennsylvania has the largest gas tax in the country, at 50.4 cents per gallon, according to the Tax Foundation. The rate will rise 7.9 cents per gallon in the new year, based on a 2013 law. The other big increase is in Michigan, where the gas tax is 30.54 cents per gallon, according to the foundation. That rate will rise 7.3 cents per gallon, based on a 2015 law.


White House wants to use data to kick out invasive species

next.gov | Posted onDecember 31, 2016 in Federal News

The White House wants researchers to focus on curbing the impact invasive plants, animals and insects have on the U.S. environment and economy. Earlier this month, with just a few weeks until his term ends, President Barack Obama signed an executive order committing to prevent the “economic, plant, animal, ecological and human health impacts that invasive species cause.” For instance, a population of zebra mussels were accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes and the infestation then spread into Mississippi River, the Arkansas River and Lake Champlain.


New Michigan law helps protect pets from animal abusers

Detroit Free Press | Posted onDecember 31, 2016 in Rural News

A package of bills intended to keep pets away from known animal abusers was signed into law Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.  The bills passed the Legislature with strong bipartisan support in December. The bills allow Michigan animal shelters to conduct a criminal background check using the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) and determine whether someone has a criminal history of animal abuse before allowing adoption of an animal.


California report backs governor’s plan for giant water tunnels

Capital Press | Posted onDecember 31, 2016 in Agriculture News

Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to build two giant tunnels to send Northern California water southward moved a step closer Thursday to final state and federal decisions, with the state’s release of a 90,000-page environmental review supporting the $15.7 billion project.  Brown’s administration is pushing for final federal and state approval of the 35-mile-long, 40-foot-wide tunnels, touted to ensure more reliable water deliveries to city and farm water agencies in Central and Southern California.


WTO favors US, New Zealand in Indonesia ag trade fight

Watt Ag Net | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Federal News

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favor of the United States and New Zealand in the two countries’ dispute with Indonesia concerning trade restrictions on agricultural products from the U.S. and New Zealand. The WTO on December 22 revealed its findings in the dispute. Indonesia has 60 days to either accept the ruling or appeal it. WTO ruled in favor of all 18 of the complaints the U.S. issued against Indonesia, revealing that the restrictions were inconsistent with WTO fair trade rules. The restrictions involved U.S.


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