State Energy Officials Convene in Annapolis to Tackle Green Jobs, Energy Efficiency and Other Stimulus-Related Issues – Zoi, Rogers of U.S. Department of Energy Address National Association of State Energy Officials –
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ — The largest-ever meeting of State Energy Officials convened in Annapolis, Md. today to discuss state and federal efforts to create green jobs, increase the nation’s energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, and tackle other issues related to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Over 200 participants are attending the three-day Annual Meeting of the National Association of State Energy Officials, whose members typically are designated by governors to run their state and territory energy offices.
Pacific Rim Summit to Highlight Biotechnology Tools for the Green Economy | Reuters
Sen. Blanche Lincoln Becomes Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
Sen. Blanche Lincoln Becomes Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
Gossip has been swirling around DC lately that there would be a big game of musical chairs in Senate committee chairmanships, due to the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy. Today the music got turned up loud, and chairs were, in fact, moved. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) will become the new chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Lincoln, in photo). Sen. Lincoln is the first woman and first Arkansan to ever lead the Ag committee in its 184 year history, but it’s not her only first: She was the youngest woman ever elected to the senate, at age 38, in 1998. She also has long experience with Ag issues; her father was a farmer, and she’s a second term Dem who defends crop subsidies, has served on Ag sub committees, and founded a Senate group that focuses on hunger. She also has lots of constituents who are farmers, particularly of cotton, poultry, and rice.
Most U.S. Stocks Advance as Retail Sales Beat Forecasts – Bloomberg.com
Commodities Gain
A group of mining companies, seed producers and chemical makers increased 1 percent as raw-material prices jumped. Gold advanced to a six-month high, reaching $999.50 an ounce, while copper rose for a second day. The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 commodities climbed 0.2 percent.
Most U.S. Stocks Advance as Retail Sales Beat Forecasts – Bloomberg.com
Storm Felicia Menaces Hawaii Sugar, Coffee Areas – Food Industry News
Storm Felicia Menaces Hawaii Sugar, Coffee Areas
Source: Reuters
11/08/2009New York, Aug 10 – Tropical storm Felicia is churning toward the Hawaiian islands on Monday and may threaten the sugar and coffee farms in the area.
The National Weather Service said in a statement that Maui, one of two areas growing sugar in the state, faces the threat of heavy rains and floods.
The other sugar growing area on Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii may also be targeted by Felicia.
The Big Island is the only producer of Kona coffee prized by the specialty coffee market and connoisseurs around the world.
According to the U.S. Agriculture Department’s monthly supply/demand report, Hawaii is seen producing 160,000 short tons of sugar in 2009/10, down from last season’s 200,000 short tons.
Sugar industry analysts said any downfall in Hawaii’s output as a result of storms would come at a time when the United States would need to import sugar in the spring of 2010 to meet a domestic shortfall.
There are about 600 Kona coffee farms in Hawaii that produces about 2.0 to 3.0 million pounds of coffee per season.
Storm Felicia Menaces Hawaii Sugar, Coffee Areas – Food Industry News