ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – Agricultural offices and farm leaders Chesapeake Bay watershed states are pushing the US Department of Agriculture to fund a major initiative to reduce pollution from agricultural runoff in the bay and its waterways.
Six agricultural agencies – from states including Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York State – are urging Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to spend more than $ 730 million on Chesapeake Resilient Farms Initiative. It aims to help farmers in their conservation efforts to reduce chemical and sediment contamination.
Denise Stranko, Federal Executive Director of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said time is running out to meet federal cleanup targets.
“We know that about 80% of the remaining cuts have to come from agriculture,” she said. “And so efforts like this – a bold move by the USDA to recognize that and say, ‘Yes, we’re going to send more money to the watershed’ – that would be just a big step towards us to reach the 2025 deadline. “
With 83,000 farms in the region, agricultural runoff is the biggest source of water pollution in the bay and its tributaries, according to the foundation. Runoff represents 49% of the three main pollutants in the bay: nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment.
Agricultural runoff must be about 50 million pounds less nitrogen than it is today by 2025, said Doug Myers, Chesapeake Bay Foundation principal scientist for Maryland. His group has worked with Maryland lawmakers to reform the state’s conservation practices to achieve this goal. Now more diverse cover crops are in place that help use less fertilizer, and soon the addition of stream buffers will also protect against runoff.
“These are two big policy changes that we believe will accelerate the agricultural sector,” he said, “and if that were to be matched with very good funding for agricultural programs from the federal government, I think we could not only do but surpass our goal goals. “
President Joe Biden’s proposed budget for 2022 pledges about $ 90 million for the Chesapeake Bay program to clean up the watershed, an increase of $ 3 million from current funding.
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – History clean energy bill signed into Illinois law yesterday includes measures ranging from shutting down coal and natural gas plants by 2045 to funding clean energy opportunities for black, brown and native workers.
It also sets a net zero emissions deadline by 2050, increases funding for wind and solar, and keeps three nuclear power plants open for an additional five years.
Dulce Ortiz, co-chair of Clean Power Lake County, said it was important for the bill to focus on black and brown residents and frontline communities.
“The section on climate and fair employment prioritizes black and brown communities that have been disproportionately affected and historically suffered as a result of exposure to toxic pollution,” Ortiz explained.
Opponents of the law have argued that shutting down coal and natural gas power plants could increase electricity bills. Democratic state lawmakers have noted that consumers can expect to pay between $ 3.55 and $ 4 more per month.
Ortiz, who lives near a coal-fired power plant, argued that the plants should be shut down to protect the health and well-being of surrounding communities.
Pat Devaney, Illinois AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, a member of Climate Jobs Illinois, said the bill establishes some of the toughest labor standards in the country, such as requiring collective agreements for all workers. large-scale wind and solar installations.
He added that it also helps communities currently dependent on coal and natural gas transition to a clean economy.
“With these provisions, we can ensure that the clean energy grid of the future is built and maintained right here in Illinois by highly skilled union workers for the benefit of their families and communities,” said Devaney.
For people who work in communities where power plants close, the bill establishes community grants and a “Displaced Energy Workers Bill of Rights.” Advance notice of any closures is required, along with financial advice, employment assistance and career services.
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HELENA, Mont. – Montanais deliver a message to the offices of Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., Across the state today: Support bold investments in the future of the country.
Congress is considering a 3,500 billion dollars in budget, which includes major investments to fight climate change. The tester was instrumental in shaping the bipartisan infrastructure bill last month, which cost $ 1 trillion.
Sierra Club Montana chapter climate and political organizer Caitlin Piserchia said lawmakers now have an opportunity to pass an ambitious budget reconciliation bill.
“With the budget reconciliation bill, we have the opportunity to pass something triple the size with priorities that could be truly transformational for Montana and the rest of the country,” said Piserchia.
The Montanais are now delivering care packages to six Kalispell testing offices in Billings. They call on the senator to support six priorities of the reconciliation bill, including moving the country to 100% clean energy, repealing federal fossil fuel subsidies, and modernizing and electrifying all schools and hospitals.
Congress is still work on the details of the reconciliation bill, the fate of which is linked to that of infrastructure.
Piserchia wants the measures to be adopted in September as long as there is still the political will to move them forward. She added that it is also crucial to act now on climate change, as its impact on the country is increasing and in light of the report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which urged the world to act quickly to avoid overheating.
“Plus, this comes at a time when there are major forest fires in Montana,” Piserchia said. “There has been a drought emergency, and this IPCC report has just come out, concluding that we are nearing the end of our window to change the outcomes we may be facing.”
Piserchia noted that they are also calling on Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., To support budget reconciliation, but admitted it was a long way. Daines voted against the infrastructure bill in August. Because of the way it is designed, the reconciliation bill only needs a simple majority in the Senate to pass.
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TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The public has the opportunity to comment on a proposed large wind power project in Idaho.
The Lava Ridge wind power project would be located approximately 25 miles northeast of Twin Falls and would produce 1,000 megawatts of power.
Ben Otto, energy associate for the Idaho Conservation League, said it would more than double the amount of wind power currently being generated in the state, but he pointed out that the project could have local impacts.
One of the concerns is with nearby national parks, including the craters of the moon and the Minidoka National Historic Site, the site of a World War II internment camp for Japanese Americans.
“This project would be visible from these two places,” explained Otto. “And, in fact, the Minidoka internment camp would be essentially surrounded by this project. These are big cultural impacts.”
The Idaho Conservation League is also concerned about the impact of the project on wildlife, such as birds of prey. Otto pointed out since the Land Management Office (BLM) is still in the scoping phase, the agency has sufficient time to investigate and mitigate potential impacts.
The agency maintains a public meeting on the online proposal today at 6:00 p.m.
Otto also noted that it is important to create more renewable energy sources and to move away from fossil fuels that harm the planet. He added that the Idaho Conservation League wants to find a way to say yes to this project and respect local values at the same time.
“The addition of wind displaces these fossil fuels and provides a long-term benefit to our climate and our public health,” said Otto. “We’re really trying to find that balance between enabling the benefits of clean energy while addressing the impacts of specific projects.”
The BLM is to receive public comments by September 20.
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