06/04/08 Climate Security Act's impact on agriculture

As the Senate debates the merits of the Climate Security Act its apparent that Idaho's two Senators won't be casting 'yes' votes. Senator Larry Craig has been an outspoken opponent of the legislation. Senator Mike Crapo says he'll probably vote against the legislation because of its economic implications. CRAPO "But also because as I indicated I'm not convinced that the solution imposed by this bill will actually reduce global warming to a significant extent." A new study has been released showing how the energy price impacts of the bill would impact eight major US crops. President of The Fertilizer Institute Ford West says it's important to bring facts and data like increased farmer input costs into the climate change debate. The study says already high production costs could rise an additional six to twelve billion dollars if this bill becomes law. FORD "The baseline for 2020 that's going to jump by about 60 dollars an acre and has a potential to increase by as much as a hundred bucks an acre depending on what may occur when this legislation becomes law." Some Capitol Hill insiders say this legislation will fail this year but it's a precursor to similar legislation that will be introduced next year after the elections. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott