02/21/07 Power of the Future

The Power of the future. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. I am a baby-boomer who grew up with Buck Rogers, Star Trek and all the other science fiction programs. Every time we got into the family car and started down the road I imagined we were flying. Yes, a vivid imagination but now I'm spending 40 to 50 dollars every time I fill my gas tank with fossil fuel and wondering what is next? Has the gasoline guzzling internal combustion engine seen its last days? Probably not, but what is in store for the future? Recently two dozen companies and organizations from throughout the country urged Congress to provide additional budget authority in the next farm bill for what they call a strong energy policy. They want to see dollars invested in new energy development programs while also providing the resources for food security, conservation, rural development, nutrition and other important priorities. According to these organizations - agriculture has the potential to supply a significant proportion of the nation's clean and sustainably produced energy. And the term bio-fuel is a hot button with both environmentalists and politicians. But one legislator is not sure this is the answer. Dr. John Harms a Nebraska state Senator says ethanol in general may simply be a quick fix for the short term. HARMS: I think we're putting a lot of hope into ethanol. I think it's going to be short termed. I think that it also has some negative side to it and that is increasing the price of feed for cattle and hogs. So I think we really need to be very careful of that because where we need to be is continuing to look at other alternative sources of energy and fuel. We're going to put all this effort and time into ethanol and I'm just not sure at this point whether that's going to be a long term solution or not. Another question being raised is where is the rest of the world on developing new fuel technologies? U.S. Trade Representative, Susan Schwab says the U.S. feels that the European Union is not living up to the agreement on biotech products entering those countries. SCHWAB: The EU maintains that it is now in compliance with the WTO standard. We do not believe that is the case even though there has been some approvals of biotech product entry and as you note, member states are still not in compliance and we continue to monitor that and we'll return to the WTO to make sure those are enforced. One thing is sure, the development of the warp engine or the flux capacitor is still only the invention of science fiction writers and at least for now, I'll keep the gas nozzle plugged in. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.