08/01/05 Energy Bill, Crapo hearing, Cummings

President Bush will soon put his signature on the Energy Bill which finally cleared Congress late last week. This legislation is supposed to open the door to alternative energy like wind power or ethanol and biofuel production. It also has loan guarantees and tax credits which many potential producers say they need before they'll build in Idaho. Idaho grown crops could be used in some of that production thanks to the new Energy Bill. While the Congress is on a five week break Senator Mike Crapo will be in Nampa August 23rd for the third annual Idaho Rangeland Summit. During the summit, the Idaho Rangeland Committee will talk about progress made and actions taken on public lands related to the Endangered Species Act. There will also be a hearing concerning NEPA, the National Environmental Protection Act and how it's implemented in Idaho. Later this week the foundation which represents the heirs of Nancy Cummings will transfer ownership of a research center near Salmon to the University of Idaho. August fourth is also the fifth anniversary of the agreement that set the stage for the U of I to acquire the former Hot Springs Ranch where beef cattle research is growing. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott