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OverTime with Mike Adams

OVERTIME - JUNE 29, 2009
Jun. 28, 2009

Depending on your point of view, last week's passage of climate change legislation by the House was either a bold step towards saving our planet or a big mistake that we will all have to pay for. While many in agriculture supported the efforts of Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to secure some important offsets they still opposed the bill. Chairman Peterson is certainly to be commended for his work. Despite pressure from his party's leadership he stood up publicly against the bill until he could get some key agreements for agriculture. Those agreements included protection for the biofuels industry from indirect land use penalties, funding for blender pumps and making sure USDA not EPA oversees an agricultural and forestry offset program. In fact, it seemed like Chairman Peterson worked harder for USDA authority over the program than did Sec. Vilsack, who seemed willing to accept EPA control. Of course what remains to be seen is if the potential income from the bill is more than or even equal to the almost guaranteed increase in energy costs. Also unknown is how effective these changes will be if other countries don't follow suit. It seems a provision requiring other countries to pass similar laws would have made sense to protect U.S. interests. Speaker Pelosi may be happy for now but the Senate may be a tougher hurdle.

Last week in Lawrence, Kansas I got a first hand look at what will hopefully be a common site in the future. We joined up with the Kansas Soybean Commission to tell the story of Zarco 66 Earth Friendly Fuels. This station offers E 20, E 30 and E 85 ethanol blends and B 5. B 10, B 20, B 100 bio diesel blends. Owner Scott Zaremba does a great job of promoting and educating motorists about renewable fuels. The Kansas Soybean Commission along with the Missouri Soybean Association are part of the Kansas City Region Clean Cities Coalition, a group that recognizes the role of biofuels in a protecting the environment. We also heard the success story of school district 489 in Hays, Kansas using biodiesel in their buses. I've always felt that of all the many uses of biodiesel, school buses should be at the top of the list. Cleaner air for our children is a no brainer!

We also had a great visit last week to Lamar, Missouri, birthplace of President Harry Truman. My thanks to our affiliate KKOW in nearby Pittsburgh, Kansas and especially local celebrity Brant Harvey for making our visit possible along with our hosts at Eastside Pizza and Grill. The food was great and so was the hospitality. The area is working hard to attract new business and promote its rich agriculture industry. Barton County is the #1 wheat producer in Missouri and #3 in that state's vegetable production. Farmers in the area are busy harvesting wheat and planting soybeans after a wet spring.

Last week's scheduled appearance on AgriTalk by HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle had to be rescheduled at his request and will now take place this Tuesday. Meanwhile questions from our listeners continue to pour in. It would take at least 5 shows to come close to being able to get to all the questions we have but I will do my best to ask as many as I can. Many of the questions have to do with HSUS funding, ballot initiatives and lack of HSUS supported animal shelters. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to send me their questions and concerns. Now we'll see what Mr. Pacelle's answers are and whether or not he changes anyone's mind.

Have a good week and a safe holiday and be sure to join us on AgriTalk!

Those are my thoughts, what are yours? Email me at host@agritalk.com

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