Warning to Balance Biofuels with Conservation
Friday, October 12, 2007
Des Moines, IA – Iowa is at the forefront of the move to biofuel production, but the National Academy of Sciences has released a report warning of increased water pollution and local water shortages unless Congress adequately funds conservation programs in the next U.S. Farm Bill. Both Iowa Senators, Harkin and Grassley, sit on the important Senate Agriculture Committee. Jonathan Kaplan, director of the Sustainable Agriculture Project for the Natural Resources Defense Council says right now, the slice of the pie for conservation programs is dwindling.
"It's critical that the conservation title of the Farm Bill be adequately funded and calibrated to maximize environmental performance."
He says many practices could be put in place that would increase biofuel production and reduce water use and pollution through conservation programs that farmers want to use.
"We are actually turning away two out of three farmers that apply to get conservation assistance. So, the willingness is there. Farmers want to step up."
Kaplin says another troubling section of the House version of the Farm Bill would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to problem pesticides that end up in Iowa waterways.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…