The Senate approved, by vote of 64 to 36, http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00281   the two-year budget agreement (H.J.Res. 59) negotiated by Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI).  The plan sets overall spending levels for the federal government for the remainder of FY 14 and all of FY 15.  It was passed two weeks ago by the House by an overwhelming vote of 332 to 94.  President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law.

 

Now the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will be able to begin work on an omnibus appropriations package to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY 14 (through September 30).  The current FY 14 Continuing Resolution (CR) expires January 15.  The two-year agreement should also make the FY 15 appropriations process much easier.  However, for MAP and FMD, completion of the Farm Bill will be needed in order to provide FY 14 funding for the programs.

 

Under the two-year budget agreement, sequestration remains in effect for all of the mandatory non-exempt programs.

 

Principals involved in conference committee action on reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) confirmed this week negotiations are at loggerheads over how the Army Corps of Engineers will choose projects on which to spend federal dollars.  Sen. Barbara Boxer (D, CA), chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, along with her ranking member Sen. David Vitter (R, LA), said the impasse must be overcome soon if the conference report is to be finalized in January.

 

The House WRDA bill creates a system where states and local governments recommend to the Corps projects, and the Corps then evaluates the requests, selects which deserve funding and submits the list formally to Congress for final approval.  The Senate bill sets criteria by which the Corps must select projects. 

 

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R, PA) says the Senate system gives too much authority to the Administration.  Boxer says she's willing to be convinced the House system is a better way. 

 

However, Vitter insists the bill contain specific language that a Louisiana flood control project be included in the Corps funding.  The Vitter project pushes the overall cost of the Senate bill to $5.7 billion; the House version comes in at just over $3 billion even though it authorizes 23 projects for Corps spending, including the Olmsted lock and dam project.

 

Several biofuel tax credits are on the list of hundreds of federal tax breaks that will expire December 31.  The so-called "extenders package" is becoming a biannual event as Congress allows the list to expire, only to return within months or a year, reauthorizing the list and making payments and credits retroactive to January 1.

 

Expiring at the end of the year are, the blenders' tax credit for advanced biofuels, including biodiesel and renewable diesel.  The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is sending a letter to the Hill this week reminding them of the need for the credit and urging members to protect the biofuel tax credit when the extenders package is taken up in 2014.

 

The Renewable Fuels Assn. (RFA) sent a letter to the Hill this week as well, RFA's letter urging the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate tax committees to act quickly to reauthorize the biofuel producer tax credit (PTC), the Second Generation Biofuel Plant Depreciation Allowance, and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit.

 

RFA argues the "second generation" of biofuels - advanced biodiesels and cellulosic ethanol - is at a critical point in its development and the loss of the various credits will jeopardize continued investment in the industry.  In addition, the emergence of "bolt on" technology - the addition of biofuels refining technology to conventional processing systems - allows first generation refineries to produce second generation fuels.  The alternative fuel vehicle refueling credit is critical, RFA, to the continued build out of infrastructure to deliver and dispense biofuels.

 

Rep. Scott Peters (D, CA) introduced late last week two bills, one designed to extend the second generation biofuels tax credit and the biofuels plant depreciation credit to January 1, 2015. 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Mark Wetjen was elected acting CFTC chair by his fellow commissioners this week.  A commissioner since October, 2011, Wetjen is a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, NV) advising him on finance matters, and was a lawyer in private practice.  He is an Iowa native.

 

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Debbie Stabenow (D, MI) has not announced her schedule for considering nominations to fill CFTC vacancies.

 

Created on Wednesday, 18 December 2013 14:10

Written by IVN

Sacramento, California - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has mobilized a new drought management effort to prepare for and reduce potential impacts of what is expected to be a third straight dry year in 2014.

 

DWR Director Mark Cowin said the department is focusing its personnel and programs "to offset potentially devastating impacts to citizen health, well-being and our economy."

 

Cowin has appointed Bill Croyle to lead the effort as department drought manager. Croyle has 30 years of experience in water operations, including seven years as DWR's flood operations chief and 23 years with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

 

Jeanine Jones, DWR's interstate resources manager, was appointed deputy drought manager. A 30-year DWR veteran, Jones has directed the department's statewide planning program and worked on climate change adaptation programs.

 

Among DWR's principal concerns is the plight of farmers who must operate with markedly less water than needed for crops. Especially vulnerable to dry conditions will be farmers -and the farm communities that depend on agricultural jobs - on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. DWR will also be watching for drinking water impacts in small rural communities whose fractured rock groundwater sources will be stressed by a third dry year.

 

DWR is conducting an agricultural drought-preparedness workshop for agriculture professionals at California State University, Fresno. The workshop is being held in Alice Peters Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics include statewide water conditions and preparing for a dry 2014; State Water Project (SWP) supplies; ground water conditions; water transfers for 2014; pumping efficiency preparedness for drought conditions, and getting by with less water in orchards and vineyards.

 

In addition, at a January 7 meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and DWR will be discussing additional actions by the state to address drought conditions and impacts.

 

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This Week's Training Shorts

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A wide-ranging study of teen consumption trends states that more teens are choosing organic food compared with two years ago. Minneapolis-based Piper Jaffray & Co. recently released its 26th semi-annual "Taking Stock With Teens" consumer research project . The study found that 39% of teens reported they ate organic food compared with 33% two years ago. "This trend is likely to support ongoing demand for natural and organic grocery, as teens age into young adults and establish independent households," according to the report. According to Piper Jaffray research, 35% of teens said they were eating more organic food than a year ago. The survey did not break down purchases by type of food. The survey may support conclusions of earlier research that point to greater interest in natural and organic food by younger consumers compared to the Baby Boomer generation.

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