E15 Wins & A New Gun Control Twist

E15 Wins & A New Gun Control Twist

E15 Wins & A New Gun Control Twist plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to consider a legal challenge by several industry trade groups to EPA’s approval of E-15. The American Coalition for Ethanol is not surprised by the decision. ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says the case brought to the high court did not have any real substance.

JENNINGS: The court was really left with no other choice to make . The case that the oil companies and others was making was flimsy. They’ve spent more money in the courts fighting E15 than they have on trying to comply with the RFS to ensure that consumers have access to affordable fuel.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says the proliferation of E-15 across the country will offer consumers a choice at the pump and create a strong market signal for this emerging industry.

Initiative 591. Have you heard of it? Backers of the bill in Washington State say that it will protect people from having their guns confiscated and that any background checks must be in line with the national standards. Another initiative, I-594 would expand background checks to include private sales and gun shows. These two initiatives just may wind up on the November ballot side-by-side.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Many areas around the country have banned fireworks for the upcoming 4th of July season due to horribly dry conditions and already existing wildfires. Confusingly for many people, these bans are aimed at the private use of fireworks, but do not ban the sale of fireworks. This is due in part to the very real possibility of constitutional challenges to such bans. But these bans are not put in place to cramp anyone’s celebration style or ruin their holiday; they are becoming more and more necessary for community safety and welfare. Those in favor of fireworks contend that if fireworks are used correctly, with common sense safety precautions, then they’re not dangerous. While this may be true, and most people would follow safety precautions, it only takes one person not doing so to cause a life changing catastrophe. I have fond memories of shooting fireworks and twirling sparklers as a child, and I would love to be able to share that same experience with my grandchildren, but common sense tells me I need to look at the bigger picture. There are safer options to fireworks that omit flames. Granted they may not be as exciting or make spectacular light displays, but in the long run it’s worth the sacrifice.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network. 

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