Energy Use in the US Food System

USDA Economic Research Service / by Patrick Canning, Ainsley Charles, Sonya Huang, Karen R. Polenske, and Arnold Waters http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR94/ERR94.pdf Energy is an important input in growing, processing, packaging, distributing, storing, preparing, serving, and disposing of food. Analysis using the two most recent U.S. benchmark input-output accounts and a national energy data system shows that in … Continue reading »

CBO Cost Estimate: Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act

Congressional Budget Office http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/118xx/doc11816/s1816.pdf S. 1816 would reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and rename it the Chesapeake Basin program. The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $2.3 billion over the 2011-2015 period for EPA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to provide grants to states and nonprofit … Continue reading »

Grand Canyon National Park: Resource Challenges and Future Directions

National Parks Conservation Association http://www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/grand_canyon/ NPCA found that despite the park’s iconic status, diverse natural and cultural resources, and abundant recreational opportunities, the park suffers from many challenges that complicate resource protection and management: Current Colorado River management actions do not incorporate adaptive strategies for protecting and restoring native animals, natural habitats, and cultural resources … Continue reading »