New wildfire strategy targets ‘firesheds’ near towns – January 19, 2022

New wildfire strategy targets ‘firesheds’ near towns

Responding to a “wildfire crisis” in the West, the Biden administration will double or even triple its efforts to thin forests and prevent fires that would threaten communities, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Phoenix on Tuesday. The 10-year plan will focus on large, high-risk “firesheds” in places such as the Pacific Northwest, the Sierra Nevada in California, the Front Range of Colorado and the Southwest.

Produce prescriptions, financial incentives to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables

Federally-funded programs that encourage low-income people to consume more fresh produce are having a positive impact on diets and the economy, according to an evaluation published on Tuesday. “These programs work,” said Amy Yaroch, the head of the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Center, which led the evaluation.

More wild birds in Southeast with avian influenza

Laboratory tests confirmed two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the coastal Southeast, said the USDA on Tuesday. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said it anticipated still more findings “as our robust wild bird sampling program continues into the spring.”

Today’s Quick Hits

NBB changes name: At its annual conference, the National Biodiesel Board changed its name to Clean Fuels Alliance America to “represent all its members: Biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels.” (NBB)

House probes food consolidation: The House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee scheduled a hearing on “addressing the effects of economic concentration on America’s food supply” for Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET. (House Judiciary)

Price-fixing acquittals denied: With a new trial scheduled for Feb. 22, a federal judge in Denver has rejected requests for acquittals from 10 executives of poultry processing companies who are accused of conspiring to fix meat prices. (Law360)

Chobani plans IPO: Chobani, the maker of Greek-style yogurt, has filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of stock in 2022. (Lexology)

Renewable diesel shortfall: Production of renewable diesel fuel will double, to 2 billion gallons, by 2025, but it will not reach the annual 5 billion gallons suggested by a flurry of announcements by investors and petroleum refiners, says consultancy Cerology. (Reuters)

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