D.C. report: Ethanol raises
cost of nutrition programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Food stamps and child nutrition programs are expected to cost up to $900 million more this year because of increased ethanol use.

Higher use of the corn-based fuel additive accounted for about 10-15 percent of the rise in food prices between April 2007 and April 2008, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). That could mean the government will have to spend more on food programs for the needy during the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30. It estimated the additional cost at up to $900 million.

The CBO said other factors, such as skyrocketing energy costs, have had an even greater effect on food prices. CBO economists estimate increased costs for food programs overall due to higher food prices will be about $5.3 billion this budget year.

Ethanol’s impact on future food prices is uncertain, the report says, because an increased supply of corn has the potential to eventually lower food prices. Roughly one-quarter of corn grown in the United States is now used to produce ethanol and overall consumption of ethanol in the country hit a record high last year, exceeding 9 billion gallons, according to the CBO.

It took nearly 3 billion bushels of corn to produce ethanol in the United States last year – an increase of almost a billion bushels over 2007.

National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) President Bob Dickey stated, “We applaud this report, the next chapter in a growing narrative that shows ethanol is not principally responsible for higher food prices despite what food companies have tried to make consumers believe during the past 12 to 18 months.

“The report found that the increased use of ethanol accounted for 0.5 to 0.8 percentage points out of the 5.1 percent increase in food prices between April 2007 and April 2008, representing 10 to 15 percent of total food price increases. We note that the impact of higher energy costs on food prices represented 36 percent of the overall food price increase.

“We hope that those who are truly concerned about increased food prices will look to those causes that have played a more significant role, and join grocers and others who are holding food

manufacturers accountable for increased food prices at the same time commodity prices – even those for energy – have dropped.”

Sheep, goat groups seek checkoff referenda

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s sheep and goat organizations have asked the Kentucky Board of Agriculture to conduct separate referenda on checkoffs for Kentucky sheep and goat producers.
The Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Assoc. asked for a referendum for sheep producers, and the Kentucky Goat Producers Assoc. requested a referendum for goat producers. If approved, people directly involved in the production of sheep and goats will be eligible to vote in their respective referenda. Identification will be necessary to vote.

The proposed referenda ask sheep and goat producers to assess themselves at the rate of one half of one percent (0.5) of the net market price. If the checkoff is approved, the two associations would administer the funds in the areas of promotion, consumer information, producer communication, industry information and research.

Although collection of checkoff funds would be mandatory, reimbursement of funds paid would be an option to the producer. For information, contact Ray Bowman, Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, at 502-352-2434 or by e-mail at www.kysheepandgoat.org or Craig Maffet, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, at 502-564-5126 or craig.maffet@ky.gov

Indiana alt-fuel fleets sought for grant opportunity
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Office of Energy Development, Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance, Inc. and South Shore Clean Cities, Inc. will be pursuing a joint proposal for the recently announced Clean Cities fiscal year 2009 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector.

Funds for cost-shared projects that expand the use of alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies including the installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support these vehicles (up to $300 million will be available). Minimum U.S.
Department of Energy funding represents FY09 funding. Up to 30 awards with a 50/50 cost share will be appointed. The funding minimum per project is $5 million, to a maximum of $15 million.
Proposals that are ready for immediate initiation, including evidence of mature design, site agreements, site licensing and permitting, partner commitments and equipment availability, will receive higher priority in the evaluation process.

If you are a fleet owner or operator, with an interest in expanding your alternative fuel fleet or looking to begin the process of alternative fuel and related technology implementation, complete the pre-application and submit it to your respective Clean Cities Coalition by April 17, COB. No additional applications will be accepted after this date. Pre-application forms may be downloaded at  www.in.gov/oed/2582.htm

You must be a dues paying member of the Clean Cities Coalition that serves your region. Questions pertaining to this grant opportunity should be addressed to Indiana Clean Cities through Kellie Walsh, CICCA, at 317-834-3754 or KLWCICCA@aol.com or to Carl and Lorrie Lisek, SSCC, 219-365-4289 or Southscc@comcast.net

Tennessee governor tours
area hit by savage storms

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s governor viewed damage April 11 in areas hit by severe storms that spawned tornadoes across the southeastern United States, killing three people and injuring dozens.

“I am astonished,” Gov. Phil Bredesen said, following a helicopter tour of the area in central Tennessee, where a mother and her infant were killed. “Where it hit is very, very intense.”

An initial report of the damage said about 100 homes were destroyed and another 150 had significant damage, Donnie Smith of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said. Clyde Atkinson, spokesman for the Murfreesboro Police Department, believes there were three to five tornado touchdowns mostly in the northern and western parts of the city of about 100,000.

Reports of destruction were widespread across the region Friday, with funnel clouds spotted in Kentucky and Alabama and devastating winds, huge hail and heavy rain reported in several states. But the damage was worst in Rutherford County, Tenn., some 30 miles southeast of Nashville. At least 41 people were injured there, four critically.

In Murfreesboro, at least three dozen homes were destroyed. Roofs were peeled from at least a dozen homes, and a bulldozer cleared limbs and other debris from streets.

Several possible tornadoes were reported in north Georgia as heavy rain, hail and winds downed trees and power lines.