Comparison and Contrast, was Lex Anteinternet: Earth Day, 2024. Native to this place.

We ran this yesterday:

Lex Anteinternet: Earth Day, 2024. Native to this place.: We have become a more juvenile culture. We have become a childish "me, me, me" culture with fifteen-second attention spans. The gl...

On the same day, various Federal office holders and their lieutenants were engaged in Earth Day related activities.  For example:

Biden-Harris Administration Invests in Clean Energy and Domestic Biofuels to Strengthen American Farms and Small Businesses as Part of Investing in America Agenda

 

Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Energy Costs and Expand Access to Cleaner Fueling Options

 

ERIE, Pa., April 23, 2024 – Today, in honor of Earth Day 2024, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding more than 700 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. The projects advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities by increasing competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs and build more clean energy projects. “The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said. “As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.” In all, USDA is providing $238 million in funding through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Rural Clean Energy Production Torres Small announced more than $194 million in loans and grants through REAP to support projects in 35 states and Puerto Rico. The REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families. The REAP program is part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy and other investment areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. These investments will cut energy costs for family farms and other businesses, increasing their resiliency and allowing them to invest back into their communities by creating new jobs and other opportunities. For example: ·     In Pennsylvania, Cellar ‘54 LLC will use a $49,000 grant to buy and install a 48-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system for its winery in the Lake Erie wine region in the borough of North East. This project is expected to save the business approximately $4,500 annually and will generate more than 32,000 kilowatt hours per year. ·     In New Jersey, Oishii Mega Farm NJ LLC will use a $15 million loan to convert a vacant building in Phillipsburg into an energy efficient production facility to grow Omakase and Koyo strawberries. The facility will include a high-tech indoor vertical farming operation and facilities to harvest, package, ship and distribute produce. The project will create 45 new jobs and reduce operating costs by $150,000 annually by being able to grow strawberries in a more efficient and controlled environment. ·     In Tennessee, Yarbro Farms will use a $536,000 grant to install a 301.92-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array on its row crop farm in the city of Martin. The project is expected to save the family farm more than $32,000 annually. It will also save 406,900 kilowatt hours of energy per year, enough to power 34 homes. USDA is making the REAP awards in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2 billion through REAP to support renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will help rural business owners lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator. Cleaner and More Affordable Fueling Options USDA is also awarding more than $43 million in grants through HBIIP to business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 15 states and give Americans cleaner, more affordable fuel options. HBIIP provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. For example: ·     In Pennsylvania, Clyde S. Walton Inc. will use a grant of more than $810,000 to install a 30,000-gallon biodiesel storage tank and loading equipment at its home heating oil distribution facility in Lansdale. This project is expected to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by more than 5 million gallons per year. ·     In Kansas, Blue River Valley LLC will use a $3 million grant to rebuild a pair of 2-million-gallon ethanol storage tanks and other equipment at a fuel distribution facility in Potwin. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by more than 238 million gallons per year. ·     In Minnesota, Twin Cities Auto Repair & Gas LTD will use a $402,000 grant to install four E15 dispensers and two ethanol storage tanks at a fueling station in Burnsville. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 996,000 gallons per year. USDA is making the HBIIP awards in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested approximately $135 million to increase access to biofuels at fueling stations. In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels. USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Applications are being accepted quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber page. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Senators Lummis and Barrasso, in contrast, were going after a SEC regulation requiring climate disclosure information of businesses by introducing a Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval.

Subsidiarity Economics. The times more or less locally, Part XI. The Waiting for a Train Edition

December 1, 2022

The House of Representatives voted to impose the results of negotiations between railroad companies and unions that were reached last September, but rejected subsequently by the four of the twelve unions that were involved.

An agreement had been reached which featured a 24% pay increase, but it omitted an increase in paid sick leave.  Existing sick leave is apparently very limited, one or two days, and the railroads did not budge on this.

For this reason, the House passed a separate bill that also increased the paid sick leave to seven days.  So two bills go on to the Senate.  It's clear at least one will pass, it'll be interesting to see if they both do.

December 1, cont:

Statement from President Joe Biden on Congressional Action to Avert a Rail Shutdown

On Tuesday, I met with Congressional leaders from both parties and told them that Congress needed to move quickly to avert a rail shutdown and economic catastrophe for our nation. Now, I want to thank Congressional leadership who supported the bill and the overwhelming majority of Senators and Representatives in both parties who voted to avert a rail shutdown. Congress’ decisive action ensures that we will avoid the impending, devastating economic consequences for workers, families, and communities across the country. Communities will maintain access to clean drinking water. Farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to bring food to market and feed their livestock. And hundreds of thousands of Americans in a number of industries will keep their jobs. I will sign the bill into law as soon as Congress sends it to my desk.

Working together, we have spared this country a Christmas catastrophe in our grocery stores, in our workplaces, and in our communities.

I know that many in Congress shared my reluctance to override the union ratification procedures. But in this case, the consequences of a shutdown were just too great for working families all across the country. And, the agreement will raise workers’ wages by 24%, increase health care benefits, and preserve two person crews.

I have long been a supporter of paid sick leave for workers in all industries – not just the rail industry – and my fight for that critical benefit continues.

This week’s bipartisan action pulls our economy back from the brink of a devastating shutdown that would have hurt millions of families and union workers in countless industries. Our economy is growing and inflation is moderating, and this rail agreement will continue our progress to build an economy from the bottom up and middle out.

All of Wyoming's current Congressional representation voted in favor of the bill.

December 2, 2022

The bill without the sick leave was signed into law.

December 3, 2022

The EU and the G7 have placed a price cap on Russian oil of $60/bbl.  Russian oil is actually currently under that price.  West Texas is $80/bbl.

December 13, 2022

Gasoline at the pump locally has returned to its price of a year ago, but diesel has not.

And the price of oil has returned to what it was a year ago.  Given this, it's at the price where the U.S. Government had determined to start purchasing reserve stocks.

Bottlenecks, it's claimed, in the diesel distribution supply chain are causing it to decline more slowly.

I'm sure we'll see people come on Twitter to proclaim the drop. . 

December 14, 2022

Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have made a breakthrough in fusion.

Not so much that this will be used to generate electricity tomorrow, but things are headed in that direction.  When achieved, and it will be, it'll render all current forms of generating energy obsolete. 

December 16, 2022

Governor Gordon, following a Federal lead, bans TikTok on state devices.

Governor Gordon Bans TikTok on State Devices due to Cybersecurity Concerns

December 15, 2022

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has announced a ban on TikTok from all state electronic devices and networks to address cybersecurity concerns that have been raised by the app’s foreign ownership and the potential influence of foreign governments.

In a memo addressed to all state employees, the Governor directed that TikTok will be permanently removed, and access blocked, from all state government electronic devices and networks. This ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers and other information technology equipment capable of internet connectivity.

“Maintaining robust cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and Wyoming is committed to identifying threats that could impact public safety,” Governor Gordon said. “The potential for foreign governments to access information collected by TikTok is extremely troubling.”

The Governor’s announcement means Wyoming joins at least 12 other states that have banned TikTok from state devices.

The Governor’s memo also directs the State’s Enterprise Technology Services, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Information Analysis Team to conduct a coordinated review of any other technology-based threats posed to State government networks.

A copy of the Governor’s memo is attached and may be found here.

--END--

It actually wouldn't have occurred to me that TikTok was on any state devices, but it probably is.

Sad headline in the tribune:

Casper Horseheads summer collegiate baseball team ceases operations

Pro and semi pro baseball doesn't seem to stick here.

From the New York Times:

New York is banning pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Thursday that prohibits the sale of pets raised by commercial breeders who, animal rights groups say, keep them in poor conditions.

And also this:

A Sign That Tuition Is Too High: Some Colleges Are Slashing It in Half

Colby-Sawyer in New Hampshire has reduced its tuition to $17,500 a year, from about $46,000. But the cut is also a recognition that few pay the list price.

December 17, 2022

The Canyon City Spuds will relocate to Mike Lansing Field this upcoming baseball season.  They are located in Caldwell Idaho.

December 20, 2022

Hiring problems have caused railroads to idle engines and rail cars, causing "embargoes" on coal and grains.  Power companies have complained about it, as the reduced shipping means that they are now operating with less of a coal supply than required.

January 5, 2023

Amazon is laying off 18,000 employees, a sure sign of a slow-down in the economy.

January 8, 2023

In its headline front page article the Tribune has a graft today showing that US demand for coal has fallen from 451,000,000 short tons to 147,000,000 short tons since 2008.

That's a shocking figure, but it fits in with what we've already explored here:

Coal: Understanding the time line of an industry

53,000

and here:

“What we are basically seeing is the beginning of the end of coal mining in southwestern Wyoming, which has gone on since before statehood.”

In spite of this trend having politicized, and the desire in some quarters of the state to bury their heads in the sand on this one, the trend is irreversible.

January 28, 2023

The Biden Admnistartion has targeted a 100% aviation transfer to biofuels by 2050.

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Two dozen U.S. Senate Republicans warned Democratic President Joe Biden on Friday that they would not support increasing the federal debt ceiling without at least an equal amount of spending cuts to government programs or structural reform.

This comes as a bit of a surprise as this has been, so far, concentrated in the House. 

February 6, 2023

I'm going to close this edition out in anticipation of the State of the Union Address.  People got a little bit of a preview of that, however, when President Biden spoke at the recent Democratic Convention.

As we just noted, in the blog mirror item by Robert Reich, Joe Biden's economy is in a new phase.  Inflation remains high, but has been going down, and we are at the lowest unemployment rate since the end of the Vietnam War.

Last Prior Edition:

Subsidiarity Economics. The times more or less locally, Part X. The Camp Stove Edition.