07/22, 2006 McMorris` ESA transparency bill moves

Washington Ag July 21, 2006 The U.S. House Resources Committee this week voted to support Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris' legislation that would require Power Marketing Administrations, like the BPA, to list direct and indirect costs estimates associated with Endangered Species Act compliance. McMorris said most people are unaware that ESA related costs, such a salmon recovery, contribute to higher energy prices and she called the committee's support a victory for electricity rate payers in the Pacific Northwest. Groups supporting the legislation include the American Farm Bureau and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Milk production has been on the rise this year and USDA's latest price forecast for the all-milk price is $12.65 a hundredweight. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Gerald Bange says prices are expected to be better in 2007. Bange: "Where we are looking at an all-milk price forecast of $13.35 a hundredweight, which again reflects a much more restrained growth than the three percent we are seeing this year." I'm Bob Hoff.