WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Efforts are moving forward in Congress to advance domestic energy development, with the House set to vote on the SPEED Act. The legislation aims to reform the National Environmental Policy Act and streamline the federal permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects.
House Natural Resources Committee Chair Congressman, Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, joined us for this week’s Champions of Rural America to discuss the proposal and its potential impact on rural communities and agriculture.
In his conversation with RFD-TV News, Westerman highlighted that the SPEED Act passed out of committee on November 20 by a 25–18 vote. He explained that the legislation is designed to better support rural America and assist U.S. farmers by reducing delays in the permitting process. He also discussed his work with the Trump administration to expand domestic energy production and how the SPEED Act fits into those broader efforts.
Westerman addressed recent updates from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding what qualifies as Waters of the U.S. for dredge-and-fill permits under the Clean Water Act. He also discussed how the PERMIT Act would further modify Clean Water Act permitting and what those changes could mean for farmers.
He concluded by outlining the key takeaways from both the SPEED Act and the PERMIT Act that he believes western and rural Americans should keep in mind as Congress considers the legislation.
The German company Constellr is part of the John Deere Start-Up Collaborator Program in 2024. It plans to launch a geothermal satellite next year that will give farmers and ranchers better tools to monitor surface temperature from space.
October 21, 2024 11:51 AM
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RanchHER Season 2, Episode 7
Premieres Tue, 10/22/24 – 9 PM ET | 8 PM CT | 7 PM MT | 6 PM PT
October 17, 2024 06:01 PM
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In his latest Firm to Farm blog post, Ag Legal & Taxation Expert Roger McEowen examines contracts, insurance, and property rights and how those legal processes can impact your farm or ranch operation.
October 08, 2024 02:26 PM
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Digital contracts are becoming more common for farmers and ranchers, which means some unique legal issues might arise. RFD-TV’s farm legal expert Roger McEowen briefly examines those.
October 06, 2024 02:15 PM
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FarmHER Kate Hitchcock joined us on the Market Day Report to discuss the upcoming episode of the show where Kirbe and the crew visit her family’s produce operation in California’s Salinas Valley, which premieres tomorrow, Sept. 24 at 9 PM ET only on RFD-TV.
September 23, 2024 02:01 PM
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The FarmHER crew catches up with fifth-generation California sweet baby broccoli producer Kate Hitchcock and her team in the middle of the harvest season in the Salinas Valley.
September 18, 2024 12:05 PM
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RFD-TV ag legal expert Roger McEowen examines common issues facing farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners: SAF fuel, R&D credit, drones, and cleaning fencerows.
September 17, 2024 12:15 PM
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Right-to-Farm Law Inapplicable when Farming Operation Not in Compliance with State Law – All of It
August 28, 2024 12:02 PM
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Let’s meet FarmHER Katie Hitchcock, a Salinas Valley, Calif.-based sweet baby broccoli producer. She stars in an episode of the FarmHER, which returns to RFD-TV this September.
August 27, 2024 04:09 PM
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