E15 Waiver & Distracted Drivers

E15 Waiver & Distracted Drivers plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. The EPA issued a partial decision yesterday on the pending E15 waiver, announcing its approval of the use of up to 15 percent ethanol per gallon of gasoline, only in vehicles model year 2007 and newer. Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. MCCARTHY: Testing has found that E15 is safe for use in model year 2007 and newer vehicles. For other model years and other types of vehicles we will need more time to gather and access the necessary data. For model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles we expect a decision on the use of E15 will be made after EPA receives the results of on-going testing. Reaction has not been totally positive but time will tell. How would you like to not be able to use your cell phone in your car...at all? Even though some states like Washington have cracked down on the use of cell phones and texting some people including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood believe that the next step just might be the complete ban of cell phone use in vehicles. While that is not completely out of the question for now, LaHood says he will pressure states to follow the lead of Washington State and pass some sort of ban aimed at ending distracted driving. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. The rocky economy has taught most of us we can survive on a lot less than we thought we could and actually benefit in ways we never imagined. Learning to stretch a dollar has become a necessity for most households, and money saving acts that constitute as "green" have more often than not been the result. If your family has been anything like ours, you've had the sit down talk to figure out which things you merely want and which things you really need. In all honesty, we found a significant number of "things" around the house collecting dust that we thought at the time of purchase we just had to have; many have now been sold or gone to charity. Another area we've learned to cut back on considerably is the food department, and frankly we're far better off for it. Saving money by eating out less has reduced our waistlines and increased our bank account, and rediscovering the joy of cooking fresh and growing some of our own food has been immensely satisfying. Also, staying home more means using less gas which is a very green thing to do. Who would have thought that an initially imposed economic lifestyle change could become a preferred lifestyle choice. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.