Senator John Thune sent a letter today to Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), requesting that Forest Service extend the original comment period for the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands Draft Environmental Impact Statement for designation of a motorized travel access system for an additional 45 days.... Continue Reading
Earlier today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the names of participants and the findings of the peer review process related to the EPA’s controversial indirect land use models within the new Renewable Fuels Standard regulations. “I am deeply discouraged by what seems to be yet another slant against ethanol... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill by a vote of 80 to 17: “South Dakota’s economy relies on the continued growth and health of our agricultural sector. South Dakota plays a significant role in helping meet... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune led a bipartisan group of his colleagues on Friday in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the EPA’s pending decision on approving E15 (15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline) for use in non-flex fuel vehicles. “Homegrown biofuels can do even... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined his Republican colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee in sending a letter to the chief economist at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The letter asks USDA to address concerns arising from the methodology of a study released concerning potential impact on our nation’s... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today reminded South Dakotans that they have until July 20, 2009 to comment on a proposal that would allow a higher percentage of ethanol to be blended with gasoline for use in non-flex fuel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing a fuel waiver application that... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for payments through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for losses that occurred on or after January 1, 2008. LIP, a permanent disaster assistance program established by the 2008 Farm... Continue Reading
Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, yesterday presented Senator John Thune with the “Friend of Farm Bureau” Award, which recognizes Senator Thune’s record on agricultural and energy issues, including his work in helping to write the 2008 Farm Bill. Senator Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that several of his South Dakota funding priorities were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today. “South Dakota communities rely on water systems to deliver a clean and reliable drinking... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that several of his funding requests for South Dakota were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today. “Agriculture is a vital component of our state’s economy, and the continued strength of our farmers... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today sent a letter to Bill Roderick, Acting Inspector General at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asking him to investigate the apparent suppression of scientific views dissenting from the EPA’s April 17, 2009 Endangerment Finding for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, including methane. Recently discovered emails... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the Notice of Funds Availability for the initial stage of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) in the Federal Register. Senator Thune authored the BCAP, which was included in the 2008 Farm Bill. “Second generation biofuels... Continue Reading
