Ambitious ‘biofuel America’ plan faces overhaul in 2022
During the ethanol boom of the early 2000s, Congress set an ambitious target of quadrupling the amount of renewable fuel mixed into gasoline for America’s cars and pickup trucks. But while corn ethanol has lived up to its part of the plan, cleaner-burning “advanced” biofuels have been slow to come to market — two factors for the EPA to consider as it faces a regulatory reset of the Renewable Fuel Standard in the new year.
USDA awards $5.2 billion for rural broadband, water and power
Rural infrastructure projects across the country will receive a combined $5.2 billion in federal grants and loans to expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and clean water, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday.
Today’s Quick Hits
Utah gulps water: Farmers have been forced to take less irrigation water than in the past as Utah, the second-driest state in the nation, is building pipelines to water its cities and state leaders are “hellbent on securing what they believe is their fair share” of Colorado River water. (ProPublica)
Christmas tree recession: It can take a decade to grow a Christmas tree, so this year’s tight supply is a result, in good part, of the 2008-09 recession, which pinched tree farmers along with the rest of the economy. (Modern Farmer)
Higher pork tariffs: China, the world’s largest pork producer, will increase tariffs on imported pork to 12 percent in 2022 as its hog farmers rebuild herds following a devastating epidemic of African swine fever, said the Finance Ministry. (Reuters)
Record winds: The storm system that raked the Plains and Midwest, creating dust storms and fanning prairie fires, set a record for the highest number of hurricane-force wind gusts in one day, said the National Weather Service. At least 55 gusts exceeded the 74 mph threshold for hurricane winds. (KCUR)
Farm Aid grants: The family farm advocacy group Farm Aid, known for its annual concert, awarded $972,000 in grants this year, including $817,500 this month to 86 family farm, rural service, and urban agriculture organizations. (Farm Aid)
