04/16/07 Biofuels Bill Questioned & Banning the Phone

The Bush Administration has endorsed a major bipartisan biofuels bill and the Energy Department Assistant Secretary Alex Karsner told the senate energy committee that the president supports a higher goal, sooner, with more energy choices than the senate bill. KARSNER: The administration supports legislation that includes a wider variety of alternative fuels than is provided for in S987. The President's goal calls for a substantial reduction in gasoline consumption and it is important that more rather than less options of alternative fuels be considered for this. But Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas says the bill snubs coal based liquids and could drive the price of corn and food higher worldwide. Wyoming is the nation's largest coal producer. Using that cell phone in the car may soon put a pinch in your driving record and wallet. Washington State appears on the brink of being the first state in the northwest to require drivers to use hands-free cell phone technology. Only 4 other states and the District of Columbia have similar laws. The bill has passed both House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor. The proposed law says if you are caught holding a phone it could be a $101 fine. State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Roger Wilbur says it's a good idea. WILBUR: I think anything we can do away with in the car that's already providing a distraction is a good idea. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. The type of wedding defines the couple. Whether traditional, horseback or Vegas, bride and groom make a statement about their lifestyle through their nuptials. So It shouldn't come as a surprise that one of the newest trends in weddings features enough green to make Al Gore beam! Today environmentally conscience couples can plan so that their weddings leave a soft eco footprint through a variety of means. A green wedding would feature only locally grown sustainable organic foods and flowers, it could use recycled invitations and biodegradable confetti or flower seed. In a proper green wedding the registry should allow guest the options of gifts or donations to green charities like Friends of the Earth or Green Peace. And while all the trimming are green, the wedding the dress can still be white but to be ethically correct it must be from a thrift store, recycled or better yet made from fair trade fabrics. While the green wedding trend is just beginning to catch on in the US it has already become quite the popular venue for British brides. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.