USDA Announces Public Meeting on Farm Bill and Renewable Energy
August 2008 -- Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development Thomas Door announced that a public meeting will be held 4 September 2008, at which how to implement renewable energy programs authorized under the recent Farm Bill.
USDA Awards $35 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
27 August 2008 -- The USDA announced today that it has awarded over $35 million in grants and loans to businesses and individuals throughout the US. The financial assistance will aid in developing renewable energy and more energy efficient systems for farms and other business operations.
Carsey Institute Publishes Reports on Rural America
August 2008 -- "Place Matters: Challenges and Opportunities in Four Rural Americas" examines rural America based on four broad places: Amenity-rich; Declining resource-dependent; Chronically poor; and Amenity/decline. This report is based on a survey of over 7800 rural Americans from throughout the country and offers profiles and policy considerations. For more about the Carsey Institute visit their website: http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/
RCAC's Farm Worker Fund Aided Many Throughout Region
August 2008 -- The Rural Community Assistance Corporation's Farm Worker Fund is a donor-supported effort to assist significant projects that benefit farm workers and their families. Read about the organizations that received funding in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California.
Battle Over Uranium Mining Near Rim of Grand Canyon
August 2008 -- Many more uranium mines are currently being considered near to the Grand Canyon. This despite the continual leaching of radioactive waste into the Colorado River from 1950s-era uranium mines. Though the latter pollution is diluted, several officials are expressing concern that accumulations of contamination with increased mining may have large-scale health impacts on the millions who receive drinking water from the Colorado River.
Two Huge Solar Plants to be Built in California
August 2008 -- 12.5 square miles in San Luis Obispo County in California will soon be occupied by 2 large solar power plants. In ther middle of a sunny day, the facilities will be able to produce 800 megawatts of electricity, which is similar to a small nuclear power plant or a coal-fired power plant.
New Report Links West's Wildfires to Global Warming
August 2008 -- A new report put out by the National Wildlife Federation echoes findings of previous reports by confirming a connection between changing climate and increased numbers and intensity of wildfires in the West. In particular, unusually dry conditions and hotter temperatures, combined with fire suppression techniques, have contributed to the flurry of western wildfires.
Two Wind Energy Plants to be Built in Colorado
August 2008 -- The town of Brighton, Colorado will soon have 1350 more jobs to offer residents. Vestas Wind Systems, a Danish company, has announced plans to build two wind power-related plants in the city, one of which will manufacture wind turbines.
American Indian College Enrollment Up, But Graduation Rates Less Optimistic
August 2008 -- The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced recent findings that enrollment numbers for American Indians in their 25 colleges and universities are up. However, the number of those students who actually graduate with a four-year or associates degree are much smaller than they should be.
New Report Finds that Drivers in Western States Reducing Their MIles Most
August 2008 -- A new report by the Federal Highway Administration recently released a report that found that Americans reduced their driving by 12.2 billion miles in June. The most significant drops occurred in Western states that are especially popular vacation sites, such as Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. No word on what this says about the well-being of the tourism sector in these Western states.
Nature of Work in West May Change with Rising Commuting Costs
August 2008 -- States such as Utah and Arizona are implementing or seriously considering 4-day work weeks to cut down on commuting costs for their employees. This article looks at Arizona in particular, where state employees may have a reduced work week and where some companies are offering options for telecommuting and subsidized public transportation.
Endangered Species Act May Face Big Changes
August 2008 -- Recently, the Bush Administration has been proposing changes to the ESA, which would allow federal agencies to determine themselves whether or not their actions, such as building highways, dams, and other development projects, will threaten endangered species. Typically, these analyses are made by independent parties outside of the agencies but this would change if this plan is instituted.
USDA Announces $547 in Loans and Grants for Rural Infrastructure Projects
August 2008 -- The USDA recently announced that they will be both loaning and granting monies to rural communities throughout the nation for infrastructural projects. These projects will focus especially on providing safe drinking water and better wastewater treatment/sewer programs to rural communities. Click on the link above for a complete listing of grant and loan recipients throughout the US.
USDA Rural Development Awards $5 Million in Grants to Digitize Public Television
19 August 2008 -- Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development, Thomas Dorr, announced that the government agency will be awarding rural public television stations a total of $5 million in grants, in order to assist them in updating from analog to digital. Public television can be especially useful for rural residents, keeping them 'plugged in' to news, educational programming, etc.
Montana Tribe and Australian Company Sign $7 Billion Energy Deal
August 2008 -- The Crow tribe has agreed to build a $7 billion coal-to-liquids plant on the land of the tribe in Montana. The deal with a subsidiary of Australian Energy Co. signed a 50-year agreement with the Crow.
Archaeologists Express Concern Over Western Development's Impact on Ancient Sites
August 2008 -- Several canyons in the West of archaeological significance may be in danger, as an energy boom takes off in the West. Utah's Nine Mile Canyon, New Mexico's Mount Taylor, and other sites are areas of concern, as drilling and mining activities create increased traffic and dust.
Congress Stalls Passage of Rural Schools Bill
August 2008 -- Congress has not passed the reauthorization of a bill called the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act. The Act would give communities with non-taxable, protected forest land, affecting funding levels for rural public schools. This article looks at the impacts in Montana's Ravalli County.
Qwest Announces Controversial $40 Million 'Cybercenter' to be Constructed in Albuquerque, NM
August 2008 -- Now that it has city approval, Qwest announced the construction of a cybercenter that will serve Qwest's corporate clients. Opponents to the project, including the state's Department of Information Technology, argue that the corporation is failing to invest meaningfully in the community.
California Wildfires Put a Dent in Coastal Tourism
August 2008 -- Communities on the California coast feel economic losses as wildfires ravage the area. The Big Sur hospitality industry alone has lost $10-15 million in sales this season alone.
Colorado Residents Claim Contamination of Their Well Water
August 2008 -- Residents of 4000-person North Fork Ranch in Colorado contend that their drinking water is being contaminated by nearby coalbed methane drilling. The company that owns the methane beds counters that there is no scientific proof for the contamination.
Utah Mapped for its 'Renewable Energy Zones'
August 2008 -- A task force of 20 individuals from energy/utility, lobby, and government groups has recently mapped Utah for areas with the most promising solar, wind, and geothermal energy. The state aims to have 20% of its power supplied by renewable or low-carbon sources by 2025.
Development Drives Up Wildfire Fighting Costs, Report Says
August 2008 -- In relation to the story below, the costs of fighting fires continues to rise. A new report out from the US Forest Service and the University of Wisconsin examines development in the rural-urban interface throughout the West and its contribution to millions of homes being built in fire-prone areas.
California's Firefighting Budget Already Dwindling
July 2008 -- As fires are fought throughout the state, California deals with a shrinking firefighting budget only a few weeks into the new fiscal year. Political officials in the state are now discussing charging homeowners an incurance surcharge if they build in areas known to be susceptible to wildfires.
Proposed Costs for Nuclear Waste Storage at Yucca Mountain Just Keep Growing
July 2008 -- President Bush's administration recently announced that the projected costs for proposed nucelar waste storage facility have escalated to $90 billion dollars. This estimate is up $32 billion from the estimate given in 2001
Ten Environmental Groups File Suit Against BLM in Colorado
July 2008 -- Ten environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the BLM, fighting oil and gas leases which may be given near pristine land in Colorado's backcountry.
Community-Supported Farms Growing in Popularity in Arizona
July 2008 -- As demand for community-sponsored agricultural products increases across the country, such farms in Arizona struggle to keep up with consumer wants.
Billionaire Urges Gas and Oil Industry to Focus on Renewables
July 2008 -- Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens met recently with oil and gas industry leaders at Colorado Oil and Gas' 20th annual Rocky Mountain Gas Strategy Conference and Investment Forum in Denver. At this meeting, he urged a drastic change in energy production, focusing on how US investors should focus on wind and natural gas as alternative energy sources.
Montana Becoming Hot Spot for Wind Farms
July 2008 -- As alternative energy sources become an increasingly popular focus for investors and businesses, southern Montana residents find themselves in a literal windstorm. These residents have recently found themselves to be the focus of business interests looking to lease land to produce wind-generated energy.
Oregon's Food Innovation Center Announces 12-week Course
July 2008 -- Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center has limited space available for its 'Getting Your Recipe to Market' course. Offered both Fall and Spring Semesters this 12-week course offers specific food industry information about creating, perfecting, manufacturing, distributing, and selling food products as a business venture. Experts from OSU's Food Innovation Center, Experiment Station and PCC's Small Business Development Center will show you how to start and build a successful specialty food buisness.
Noise Pollution Becomes a Problem in Some Western National Parks
July 2008 -- Though a few parks - such as North Cascades in Washington - remain quiet sanctuaries for visitors looking to connect with nature, most national parks have become overly noisy places. Grand Canyon National Park, with its overhead plane and helicopter rides, proves to be one of the noisiest national parks.
Some Small Communities Fight Fires Themselves
July 2008 -- With hundreds of wildfires burning throughout California, some small town residents are fighting the fires and receiving funds to do so from local businesses.
Western States React to Restrictive Immigration Legislation
July 2008 -- As Colorado, Arizona, and other Western states deal with restrictive state and federal legislation on illegal immigrants, these stats take steps to adjust, innovate, and hire the laborers they need.
BLM Reverses Solar Project Moratorium
July 2008 -- Only a month after it announced a 2-year moratorium on new solar projects as it conducted social and environmental impact assessments, it has reversed this decision. Public pressure persuaded the agency to go ahead with new solar projects while completing a large-scale study of their effects.
California Announces Dramatic Plans to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
July 2008 -- California announces new requirements for vehicle emissions, diesel produced by state refineries, as well as a new requirement that state utilities acquire at least a third of their energy from renewable resources. New green building mandates, as well as mandated energy conservation programs are among the drastic new measures taken within California.
'Meet the Press' Talks to Western Governors During Annual Meeting
July 2008 -- To discuss the role of the West in this November's Presidential elections, Tom Brokaw interviewed both Colorado and Wyoming's governors this Saturday. Western governors were already gathered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for their Western Governors' Association annual meeting, which took place this weekend.
Center for Rual Affairs Summarizes the 2008 Farm Bill
June 2008 -- In its June newsletter the Center for Rural Affairs blasted the 2008 Farm Bill and details how its staff believes Rural America fared with its passage.
Federal Agencies Will Help Navajo Nation Clean Up its Uranium Contamination
June 2008 -- The Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Bureau of Indian Affairs have agreed to work together to clean up grounds throughout the Navajo Nation still polluted due to uranium contamination. Other communities in the West, however, still deal with legacy of contamination.
President Bush Pushes for Development of Oil Shale Resources in Area
June 2008 -- With much attention focused on securing domestic centers of energy production, President Bush announced his desire for oil shale exploration and development in the West, specifically Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Local governors and residents, however, have mixed reactions to the proposal.
BLM's Proposed Study on Solar Power's Environmental Impact May Delay Solar Projects
June 2008 -- The Bureau of Land Management recently announced that it plans to conduct an in-depth environmental impact report regarding solar power's impacts. The study may take up to two years, delaying the issuing of permits during that time.
Wildfires Start Up in West Already
June 2008 -- As summer temperatures heat up in the West and rain remains scarce, residents and firefighters are already dealing with blazes across the region, in states such as Utah, Colorado, and California.
Pests Invade Colorado River; Head West
June 2008 -- Despite warnings and ecologists' best efforts, the quagga mussel has been found in Lake Mead and are believed to be throughout the Colorado River. The mussels have caused terrible problems in the midwestern Great Lakes and ecologists worry that the same could occur all along the Colorado River.
Several Western States Work to Designate Wilderness Areas
June 2008 -- In recent weeks, the US House of Representatives has passed five bills designating about 500,000 acres of federal land as wilderness. Four more bills have been introduced, another designatewd 106,000 Washington acres as wilderness land, and several similar bills are on the table.
New Report Warns of Impending Water Shortages in Colorado
June 2008 -- A new report examines Colorado's Arkansas Valley, evaluating its furutre water needs. Among other findings, the report concludes that the water shortage faced by the region may be twice as large as originally expected.
Sonoran Institute Releases Report on Impact of Development Around Teton County
June 2008 -- The report, "Growth Impacts in the Teton Region of Wyoming and Idaho" issued last month, takes a look at "spillover growth" from the Wyoming county into adjacent counties in both Idaho and Wyoming. The report tracks the impact of having more than half the workers in the Wyoming county live outside that county, and the effect a commuting population has on the Idaho and Wyoming communities that feed workers into Teton County.
Small Ag Success Stories
June 2008 -- The Southwest Marketing Network, an organization dedicated to "expanding markets for Southwest small-scale, alternative, and minority producers," lists success stories of small agriculture producers on its website. These stories showcase the innovative approaches producers in the southwestern U.S. and other regions are implementing to boost their income.
Bill to Aid Rural Families Fails in US House
June 2008 -- The House Thursday defeated a bill that would have continued payments to rural counties hurt by federal cutbacks in logging. Lawmakers from both parties have tried for several years to salvage the program, which helps pay for schools, roads and public safety in 700 rural counties in 39 states.
US Senator Harry Reid and Others Fight New Yucca Mountain Application
June 2008 -- The Bush administration has just formally filed its application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to build a nuclear waste repository in Nevada's Yucca Mountain and local politicians are upset. Jim Gibbons and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have both publicly commited themselves to keepign the repository out on their state of Nevada.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Announces Plans to Explore Solar Power Potential of West
June 2008 -- It seems the BLM will be joining forces with the US Department of Energy to examine the potential of a web of solar production to be carried on throughout the West. In particular, the two agencies are interested in focusing on the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The exploratory research has been attributed to a growing interest among utility companies and citizens in working with and providing solar-base power.
Western Governors Meet to Discuss Renewable Energy Ideas
June 2008 -- In the first meeting of the Western Governor's Association's Western Renewable Energy Zones project, Western governors met to discuss the potential for development of alternative energy projects in the West. They also discussed the need for greater cooperation between the western states as global warming concerns become more real (see below). The project comprises western governors, public utilities commissioners and premiers from 11 states, 2 Canadian provinces and areas of Mexico.
USDA Releases New Global Warming Report; News Not Good for West
June 2008 -- The US Department of Agriculture just released a comprehensive report that examines the likely trends in coming years due to the effects of global warming. Part of a broader federal review of climate change, the 200-plus-page report focuses on the next 25 to 50 years. It had 38 authors, was reviewed by 14 scientists and uses more than 1,000 references. Importantly for the West, the report predicts major impacts on rangeland and forests in this region, as well as drastic changes to waterway temperatures and availability, drought, and other problems, all of which could cause major complications for Western residents. The report was posted at: www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.php if you would like to read the actual document.
Funding Opportunity for Food Research Announced by University of Chicago
June 2008 -- The Harris School announces its Research Development Grants program for social science scholars interested in food assistance research. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $40,000 for the 2008-2009 program. Start-up projects and projects by young and less experienced scholars will be offered grants of up to $20,000. Awards will be made to scholars who propose research including, but not limited to: Interactions between food assistance programs and other welfare programs with respect to participation, administration, budget exposure, and the role of food assistance as a personal and fiscal stabilizer; the effects of the macroeconomic environment on the need for food assistance, level of participation, and food assistance program costs; and the well-being of current and former food assistance recipients. Proposals are due by 1 July 2008.
Job Announcement - National Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) Executive Director
May 2008 -- The National ESP Extension professional organization is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. The successful candidate for this 75% position will have the skills necessary to maintain a national office, support the state organizations and the National Board through use of leadership, management, organizational skills and technical knowledge. Applicants are not limited to ESP membership. The position description details the leadership and management responsibilities of the Executive Director and can be found at http://espnational.org.
Broadband Access Opens Doors to Networking, Economic Development for Rural Areas
Science Daily May 2008 -- Proactive polices are needed to facilitate broadband Internet access and adoption in rural areas so that rural hospitals, schools and businesses can drive social and economic development and better position themselves to compete, say Penn State researchers in a recently released report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
Family Farming: A New Economic Vision New Edition by Marty Strange
May 2008 -- Americans decry the decline of family farming but stand by helplessly as industrial agribusiness takes over. The prevailing sentiment is that family farms should survive for important social, ethical, and economic reasons. But will they? This timely book exposes the biases in American farm policies that irrationally encourage expansion, biases evident in federal commodity programs, income tax provisions, and subsidized credit services. Family Farming also exposes internal conflicts, particularly the conflict between the private interests of individual farmers and the public interest in family farming as a whole. It challenges the assumption that bigger is better, critiques the technological basis of modern agriculture, and calls for farming practices that are ethical, economical, and ecologically sound. The alternative policies discussed in this book could yet save the family farm, and the ways and means of saving it are argued here with special urgency.
Job Announcement - Communications/Outreach Assistant - SARE
May 2008 -- The National Outreach Office of SARE is now accepting applications for a Communications/Outreach assistant. This position will be housed at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Applications will be accepted until June 27, 2008.
Mitigating the Impact of Foreclosures on Neighborhoods
May 2008 -- Randall S. Kroszner, Governor of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, announced what the Federal Reserve is doing in regards to the mortgage crisis in the U.S. One partnership announced in this speech is with NeighborWorks "to support local communities as they assess local housing conditions and evaluate responses to the challenges before them."
The National Rural Assembly and the Rural Compact
April 2008 -- In June 2007 more than 300 national rural leaders from across the United States gathered near Washington, D.C., in the first annual National Rural Assembly. A sterring committee emerged and they have now proposed a Rural Compact, a set of principles for building stronger rural communities and a stronger nation. The second annual National Rural Assembly will be held June 16-18, 2008.
Northwesat Area Foundation's National Poll: Struggling to Make Ends Meet
April 2008--More than one-third of Americans worry most of the time that their total family income will not be enough to meet their family's expenses and bills in 2008, bringing the struggle to make ends meet to a very personal level, according to a nationwide survery released by the Northwest Area Foundation.
Colorado Mining More Gold Now than in Past Decades
April 2008 -- The price of gold hit an all-time high last month of $1,003 an ounce, breathing new life into the gold mining industry in Colorado, where there are at least five mines open or preparing to open.
Could New Coal-fired Power Plants Pollute National Park Air?
April 2008 -- The Environmental Protection Agency is forging ahead on changes to the Clean Air Act that air-quality standards in Class-1 areas, which provides 156 national parks, wilderness areas, and wildlife refuges the toughest protection from air pollution, despite criticism from parks advocates, air-quality experts and the agency's own staff experts.
Presidential Candidates Have Similar Climate Change Views
April 2008 -- Though the Presidential candidates differ on many other issues, climate change is not one of those. As they travel the country campaigning for president because they share many of the same views on climate change, clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and all oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The article link here contains a graphic comparing the candidates' stance on a number of issues.
States in the West Requiring Renewable Energy
April 2008 -- Arizona is one of 25 states that passed laws requiring utilities to get more of their energy from renewable resources, requiring utilities to get 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025.
Utah and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dispute Who is Allowed to "Recruit" Waste
April 2008 -- Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. believes the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has the responsibility to decide if the
Montana Targeted as Popular Site for Future Wind Farms
April 2008 -- Across the state, from Circle in the east to Ennis in the west, the race is on to lock up the best sites by courting landowners and sealing deals for exclusive rights to explore and develop wind power. Hundreds of thousands of acres already are under lease to foreign and U.S. wind developers.
Colorado River on Endangered List for First Time
April 2008 -- For the first time ever, Colorado's Cache la Poudre River was added to American Rivers' 2008 list of the nation's most endangered rivers.
Outdoor Enthusiasts Join to Lobby for Energy Responsibility and Create a Sportsmen's Bill of Rights
April 2008 -- A coalition of hunting, fishing and wildlife groups have formed the Sportsmen United for Responsible Energy Development, which released its 10-point Sportsmen's Bill of Rights, which demands continued access to public lands, giving hunters and anglers a say in energy development on public lands, and management of those lands to benefit multiple use. According to its Web site, Sportsmen United for Responsible Energy Development is working to "strike a balance between energy development and conservation in the West by reforming the laws, regulations, and policies that ensure respect for the traditions of the West."
National Geographic and Western Agencies Develop 'Geotourism' Map of Yellowstone area
April 2008 -- Wyoming Travel and Tourism, the Idaho Division of Tourism Development and Travel Montana are teaming up with National Geographic to create a geotourism map of the Greater Yellowstone area. The project was launched on Tuesday and is taking nominations for places, events and people to be included in the map until the end of June. Be sure to tell them what belongs on the map! The goal of the project is to sustain and enhance the character of the area for both locals and visitors through community involvement and awareness. 'This project will only be as successful as how much participation we get,' said Diane Shober, director of tourism for Wyoming Travel and Tourism. 'It's the word of mouth that always helps to further a project.'
Critics Highlight Flaws in Energy Corridor Proposal
April 2008 -- While agreeing on the need for energy corridors through Western public lands, critics Tuesday ripped federal agencies for proposing routes mostly to coal plants and ignoring renewable energy sources. At a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday, critics of the federal government's proposed energy corridors through 11 Western states, primarily through public lands, need more work and more input from tribes and local governments.
Deployment of Broadband to Rural America
March 2008 -- The U.S. Internet Industry Association (USIIA) released its report on the "Evaluation of Current Broadband Services to Rural Amercians and the Impact of Internet Public Policy on Broadband Deployment." The report includes these topics: Defining the Issue of Rural Broadband; Factors in Rural Broadband Deployment; Factors in Rural Broadband Adoption; Conclusions Regarding the Rural Digital Divide; and Public Policy Ramifications.
WRDC Releases Training DVD on Entrepreneurial Sustainable Agriculture
March 2008 -- The Western Rural Development Center announces the release of its Western SARE-funded DVD training video "Entrepreneurial Sustainable Agriculture: Alternatives for Processing, Packaging, Labeling and Marketing in Retail/Internet Environments." This DVD is available free of charge while supplies last.
Small Business Innovation Research Grants – USDA
March 2008 -- The Small Business Innovation Research program will release a request for proposals in June with a late August deadline. SBIR program awards are based on the scientific and technical merit of investigator initiated ideas. The SBIR Program does not make loans and does not award grants for the purpose of helping a business get established. SBIR Phase I grants are limited to $80,000 and duration of 8 months and are open to any small business concern that meets the SBIR eligibility requirements. SBIR Phase II grants are limited to $350,000 and duration of 24 months and are only open to previous Phase I awardees. SBIR program funds are allocated in proportion to the number of proposals received. Proposals are reviewed through a confidential peer review process using outside experts from nonprofit organizations. All applicants receive verbatim copies of reviews. Estimated funding for the program's fiscal year 2008 is $19 million which will be allocated over 12 broad topic areas.
Rural Ozone Levels May Harm People and Crops
March 2008 -- Revised EPA standards show 45 rural counties with health-hazardous levels of ozone. And environmental experts say crops and forests are at even greater risk than people.
March 2008 -- Nevada Power Co. is teaming up with geothermal developer Ormat Technologies to build a 30-megawatt geothermal plant near Fallon, that will eventually produce enough electricity for 22,000 homes.
Wyoming's Natural Gas Industry May Get a Boost
March 2008 -- Two leading pipeline companies are joining forces to develop the next major natural gas pipeline out of the Rockies. Questar Overthrust Pipeline Co. and Alliance Pipeline Inc. announced Tuesday they have entered into an agreement to develop the approximately 800-mile-long Rockies Alliance Pipeline. The planned 42-inch pipeline would originate in Wamsutter in eastern Sweetwater County, move north through the gas-rich Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming and end at the Emerson trading hub on the Minnesota/Canada border.
London Bank Wants to Lease Montana's Otter Creek by September
March 2008 -- In Montana, a London bank representing an undisclosed investor wants to pull the coal out of Otter Creek, and wants permission to do so by September. Rothschild executives declined to name the company the London bank represents in the request that Montana leases coal tracts in the southeastern portion of the state, but did say that the company is a corporation with considerable mining experience.
Harris School of Public Policy Announces Research Grant for Food Assistance Research
14 March 2008 -- The Harris School announces its Research Development Grants program for social science scholars interested in food assistance research. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $40,000 for the 2008-2009 program. Start-up projects and projects by young and less experienced scholars will be offered grants of up to $20,000. Awards will be made to scholars who propose research including, but not limited to food assistance research in: interactions between food assistance programs and other welfare programs with respect to participation, administration, budget exposure, and the role of food assistance as a personal and fiscal stabilizer; the effects of the macroeconomic environment on the need for food assistance, level of participation, and food assistance program costs; and the well-being of current and former food assistance recipients.
Legislation May Establish New American Conservation Network
March 2008 -- More than 800 properties in the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System are being touted for a new American preservation network. All told, the system includes 15 national monuments, 14 national conservation areas, 161 wilderness areas, 10 historic trails and 38 wild and scenic rivers. With congressional approval, these would become part of a permanent package comparable to the national-park system.
Nevada Hosts New Type of Solar Power Plant
March 2008 -- Boulder City , Nevada, solar power plant looks like a typical electricity plant. However, by focusing intense sunlight on mirrors which in turn heat water an coinvert it to steam, energy is being produced in a novel way.
American Indian Health Facilities Not Given Enough Money in New Federal Budget
6 March 2008 -- Despite widespread disrepair of schools, jails and health care facilities in Indian Country, the Bush administration requested only a fraction of the funding needed to fix the problems, senators of both parties said Thursday.
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said there is a nearly $3 billion backlog in construction or repair of American Indian health facilities, a $1.8 billion backlog to repair or build schools and $6 billion to repair and construct jails.
Proposed FLAME Act Would Establish Permanent Wildfire-Fighting Fund
6 March 2008 -- Democratic leaders have submitted the Federal Land Assistance, Managment, and Enhancement Act, in hopes of providing a permanent fund to finance fighting catastrophic wildfires.
Texas A&M University Announces Search
March 2008 -- The Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University announces openings for two tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin Fall Semester 2008 or Spring 2009. We seek colleagues who will conduct research and teach on key components community development and related policy issues.
Presidential Candidates Paying Enough Attention to Public Lands?
February 2008 -- In a strong opinion piece, one Westerner asks whether or not the candidates for President have paid attention to an important issue in the West - use and well-being of public lands.
Construction to Begin on Large Montana Wind Farm
24 February 2008 -- In more alternative energy news, construction will begin shortly on one of the largest wind farms in the region. "This is probably the largest economic development project ever in the Golden Triangle," Shelby Mayor Larry Bonderud said. Construction of the state's largest wind farm to date will begin this spring 85 miles north of Great Falls in Toole County, the developer said this week. Naturener, the Spain-based developer of the project, has selected Mortenson Construction out of Minnesota, one of the nation's leading builders of wind farms, as the general contractor.
Arizona May Host New Solar Power Plant
21 February 2008 -- Arizona Public Service Company announced a Spanish company is proposing to build a 280-megawatt solar-power plan near Gila Bend, and if the compnay's $1 billion project is completed, it will be one of the largest in thw world.
New Video from CSREES Highlights Agriculture's Role in New Energy
February 2008 -- USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has released the latest episode of its Partners Video Magazine series. Episode 20, "Fueling America: Bio-based Fuels to Power a Thirsty Nation," shows how CSREES is funding universities and small businesses to power the
The National Research Initiative Seeks Applications for Funding
February 2008 -- The National Research Initiative's program on Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-sized Farms is currently seeking applications. The purpose of this program is to foster interdisciplinary studies to improve our understanding of the interactions between the economic and environmental components important to the long-term viability, competitiveness and efficiency of small and medium-sized farms (including social, biological and other components, if necessary).
The National Integrated Water Quality Program Announces RFA Opportunity
February 2008 -- The FY 2008 National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP) Request for Applications (RFA) is now available. The goal of the National Integrated Water Quality Program is to improve the quality of our Nation's surface water and groundwater resources through research, education, and extension activities. Projects funded through this program will facilitate achieving this goal by advancing and disseminating the knowledge base available to agricultural and rural communities.
WRDC's New Director Announced
7 February 2008--Utah State University Extension has named Don Albrecht as director for the Western Rural Development Center. Albrecht was previously the associate department head in the department of recreation, park and tourism sciences, and program leader of the Rural Sociology and Community Studies Program at Texas A&M University where his career spanned 24 years.
Missoula Group Teaches Social Responsibility when Investing Retirement Funds
3 February 2008 -- Socially conscious investing has been around for decades, but designating where your retirement money goes and keeping funds local is an innovative twist. Hit the above link to reach a very helpful regional website.
National Geographic Looks at Water in the West
3 February 2008 -- National Geogrpahic Magazine's latest issue examines an iddue close to home for many of us - water in the American West. In particular, the issue examines the impacts future shortages may have on the economy and quality of life for those of us in the West.
USDA's Risk Managment Agency Announces Funding Opportunities
January 2008 -- Today, the USDA announced a few RFAs providing the following funding opportunities:
Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program announces the availability of approximately$5 million in fiscal year 2008 (subject to availability of funds) for collaborative outreach and assistance programs for limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority Commodities as defined within the RFA.
Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education Program (Commodity Partnerships Program) includes approximately$3.75 million (subject to availability) for cooperative partnership agreements to deliver training and information in management of production, marketing and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers.
WRDC is Awarding Travelships to Community Development and Extension Educators for SARE's 20th Anniversary Conference
28 January 2008--Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is celebrating 20 years with their New American Farm Conference in
New Mexico State University Seeking Applicants for Department Head Position
January 2008--New Mexico State University located in Las Cruces is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Academic Department Head, Department of Sociology and Anthropology. The department currently includes 15 faculty members, 185 undergraduate students, and approximately 100 graduate students. Application deadline is February 24, 2008.
Rural Representatives Leaning Towards Obama as Primaries Heat Up
January 2008 -- Daily Yonder found that while early endorsements went to Mitt Romney on the Republican side and John Edwards among the Democrats, there seem to be changes afoot. U.S. representatives who've held off until 2008 to announce their endorsements have been keeping an eye on voters in the early caucuses and primaries. Click on the above link to see what Daily Yonder has uncovered about your representative's endorsement decisions.
States Combat Global Warming
January 2008 -- With proposals to cap greenhouse gas emissions stalled in Congress, more than half the states are moving aggressively to combat the pollution that causes global warming. This year, eight states are slated to release plans to slash emissions of the heat-trapping gases and at least several are likely to recommend specific reduction targets, say state officials and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Seventeen states already have such targets in place and Idaho and Alaska are among the western states considering their own programs.
Rural America Will be Aided Through Rural Youth Entrepreneurship, says Boomtown Institute Author
January 2008 -- Stressing the vital role that young rural citizens can play, Jack Schulz reminds us that nurturing this generation will pay off in innovative companies that will provide jobs, give back generously to their communities and provide the tax revenue that communities want so badly, Schultz said.
USDA Announces Home Ownership/Financing Opportunities for Rural Americans
January 2008 -- USDA provides homeownership opportunities to rural Americans, as well as programs for home renovation and repair. USDA also makes financing available to elderly, disabled, or low-income rural residents of multi-unit housing buildings to ensure they are able to make rent payments.
University Scientists Study Pollutants in Three Major Arizona Rivers
22 January 2008 -- Three teams of Arizona scientists are focusing research on a class of chemicals in the state water supply that could lead to cancer, infertility, birth defects or other health problems. Researchers from all three Arizona universities are studying the Gila, Verde, and Salt rivers to determine the entent of endocrine disruptor pollution in the waters and the long-term effects that pollution could have on Arizona residents.