Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - May 19, 2017

Can We Trade Our Way Out of A Farm Crisis?  Perdue Says Yes

On May 17, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue testified before the House Agriculture Committee marathon three-hour hearing on the State of the Rural Economy.  His testimony started out with an explanation of his motto “do right and feed everyone,” which encompasses environmental stewardship, trade, and nutrition.  Perdue’s testimony made clear that he is a big advocate of trade, and believes it could help ease the supply glut of U.S. commodity crops and lift rural economies in the process.

“We’ve got to sell our way out of this supply/demand crisis, and that’s what we hope to do,” Perdue stated, referring to the current low-price and high production scenario besetting U.S. commodities.  However, while trade is playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. agricultural sector, many remain doubtful that trade alone can wash away the woes of rural America.

 

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Headlines

1. Donnelly: Pending Waiver Key For E15 Expansion

2. Biofuel Groups Ask EPA to Ease Regulatory Burdens

3. Lawmakers to Introduce Organic Research Funding Bill

4. Danish Bioscience Company Plans to Invest $36 Million in Blair, Nebraska Plant

5. Branstad Vetoes Provision to Dismantle ISU's Leopold Center

 

 

Upcoming Events: 

1) Powering Businesses, Homes and Vehicles with Waste

How to Grow the Economy & Jobs with Biogas & Renewable Natural Gas

Tuesday, May 23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

201-00 Capitol Visitor Center (Senate-Side)
East Capitol Street and 1st Street, NE

Lunch will be served

The American Biogas Council (ABC), the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (CRNG) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invite you to a briefing about the untapped energy in domestic wastes. Waste streams—including manure, agricultural waste, waste water, food scraps and landfill gases—can be converted to biogas and upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) for electricity, pipeline injection, or vehicle use, while also providing valuable products such as fertilizer and compost. Using these products provides local jobs, improves air and water quality, assists in meeting multi-agency nutrient management strategies and helps to meet multiple policy goals espoused in both the Farm Bill and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

 

2) WIRES University Graduate School – Electric Transmission Infrastructure

Economic, Policy & Technology Benefits of Investment

Thursday, May 25
8:15 am - 3:00 pm

Reserve Officers Association – 5th Floor
One Constitution Ave NE

This year's second WIRES University explores an oft-neglected but fundamental aspect of North American INFRASTRUCTURE—the high voltage electric transmission grid. This whole-day session explains the grid’s importance as an enabler of markets and new technology as the economy becomes more thoroughly electrified. Our grid must also adapt to a distributed energy future which calls for a smarter and more flexible network.

 

3) The National Security Implications of Climate Change

Monday, June 5
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Room 334, Cannon House Office Building
Independence Avenue SE and 1st Street, SE

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Center for Climate and Security (CCS) invite you to a briefing discussing the role of climate change as a "threat multiplier" in the geopolitical landscape and the implications that has for U.S. national security. The briefing will explore the risk management and planning considerations facing the Department of Defense (DOD) as it seeks to maintain force readiness and bolster infrastructure resilience. The panel will also discuss the need for investments in preventive measures today to prepare for future needs concerning disaster assistance, the Arctic, and the displacement of vulnerable populations due to climate change.

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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