07/24/06 Fuel Economy Standards

Getting further on a gallon of gas. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. As the temperatures heat up so does the debate on fuel consumption and the high cost of that fuel. Last week tax incentives on a number of hybrid cars were cut in half. Wheat farmers have been hard pressed due to the high costs of fuel. The current situation affects just about everyone. Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is seeking to get the federal government to increase the fuel standards. SMITH: Because those standards haven't been raised since 1985 and with soaring demand for fuel and rising prices, we simply have to find a way to go further on a gallon of gas. We need it as a nation. We need it as individuals, as consumers. And we need to get beyond relying on some of the most unstable parts of the world for the fuels we need to drive our families and our economies. And so we need to raise the standard, 4% a year, a mile per gallon each year and if we can do that it will help us individually, it'll certainly help us as a nation. Smith and a bi-partisan group of senators have introduced legislation that will help motorists travel farther on a gallon of gas. The Fuel Economy Reform Act will spur the production of alternative-fuel powered cars and SUVs. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. Every cattleman in the Pacific Northwest is familiar with the success story of Oregon Country Beef, a branded natural beef program that has been modeled by many ranching co-ops. Natural meat is no longer considered a novelty but has emerged into one the fastest growing food categories, beef and chicken initiated the movement but now other meats are following suite. The NW can boast to being home to the only USDA certified quality branded natural pork in the United States, NW Heritage Pork. Pork producer Ben Cunningham, owner of NW Heritage Pork has set the bar high by pursuing his passion of creating a free-range hog that is well marbled, flavorful and healthy. It has paid off with a discriminating clients list that includes Caesar's Palace and Mandellay Bay in Las Vegas. To meet growing demand Cunningham was instrumental in forming the Oregon Pork Producers a hog farmer co-op for specialty pork, rewarding farmers with premium prices for meeting NW Heritage Porks stringent guidelines. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.