Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Provide Clean Drinking Water for Rural Americans

Senators Tommy Baldwin and Susan Collins Wednesday introduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act. Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Collins, a Maine Republican, say the bill will provide water testing and treatment technology grants directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities. Currently, nearly 43 million households, primarily in rural communities, rely exclusively on groundwater delivered through private wells for their drinking water. These sources are not subject to the same oversight and testing for contamination of public water sources. Water quality improvement systems installed at the faucet or within a building can provide immediate and ongoing protection from known and emerging water contaminants, like PFAS, lead and nitrates. The bill follows a proposal to create standards for PFAS chemicals in drinking water Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation would allow the Department of Agriculture to provide grants for testing and removing contaminants from drinking water.

Fertilizer Institute Welcomes Lower Energy Costs Act

President of The Fertilizer Institute, Corey Rosenbusch, this week welcomed the introduction of the Lower Energy Costs Act. TFI says the legislation will provide a streamlined and simplified permitting process for hard rock mining, including phosphate and potash mining. Rosenbusch says, “Delays are measured in years and in the millions of dollars, with those paying the price being consumers who are already struggling with the rising costs of everyday goods.” The delays Rosenbusch referenced include a permit to mine phosphate in Florida that took nearly ten years and tens of millions of dollars in expert fees, studies, legal analysis, and legal fees, and a mining expansion permit for an existing mine that has been in limbo for over 12 years at a cost of over $25 million that has yet to be approved. The fertilizer industry is asking Congress for a reliable and predictable permitting process to ensure mining projects have a clear path toward compliance and approval.

Bills Providing Permanent E15 Fix Introduced in House and Senate

The National Corn Growers Association this week applauded legislation that would provide permanent, nationwide market access for E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88. NCGA reports 35 bipartisan Senate and House members introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. NCGA President Tom Haag says, "There's no reason for market access to a safe, clean and affordable fuel option to remain in question." Despite EPA approving E15 for use in all 2001 and newer vehicles, and a 2019 update to regulations, a 2021 court decision would have ended year-round market access to E15. Temporary action by the Biden administration allowed E15 sales last summer, but access is in question for 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed implementing a plan from eight Midwest governors to require lower-volatility gasoline in their states to ensure year-round E15. However, EPA has proposed to delay implementation until 2024. NCGA encourages the Biden administration to again provide temporary access for the 2023 summer driving season.

Registration Open for World Pork Expo 2023

Registration for the 35th annual World Pork Expo opened this week. The 2023 World Pork Expo, organized by the National Pork Producers Council, will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 7-9. This year marks a major milestone for the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. NPPC president Scott Hays says, “We’re looking forward to celebrating the Expo’s incredible legacy this year with an impressive schedule of events.” The 2023 World Pork Expo will feature three days of programming and educational seminars that showcase the pork industry's latest product and process innovations. Additionally, industry professionals will have networking opportunities to meet and connect. Registration is available online and includes entry to the World Pork Expo for all three days. Until June 1, discounted rates are available during pre-registration, including $10 per adult. On-site registration will be $20 per adult. Attendees can register to attend at WorldPork.org.

Thursday Watch List

Markets

USDA's weekly export sales report is due out at 7:30 a.m. CDT Thursday, the same time as weekly U.S. jobless claims, February housing starts and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Energy Department's weekly report of natural gas storage is out at 9:30 a.m. After two days of corn export sales, traders will be watching to see if another export sale gets reported Thursday and will also have antenna up for any further bank problems.

Weather

A storm system is moving from the Central Plains to the western Midwest on Thursday. Scattered showers have already developed across South Dakota and Nebraska and will expand across more of the central states throughout the rest of the day. This is including a band of moderate to heavy snow from Nebraska to Lake Superior and potential for severe storms across the southeastern Plains, most notably along the Red River. Winds are also elevated and where it coincides with the snow, could create some blowing snow and visibility issues.

Consumer Price Index Increases Again

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.5 percent in January. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.0 percent before seasonal adjustment. The food index increased 0.4 percent in February, and the food at home index rose 0.3 percent over the month. The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 1.0 percent in February, after a 0.4-percent increase the previous month. The indexes for other food at home and for cereals and bakery products each rose 0.3 percent over the month. The index for fruits and vegetables increased 0.2 percent in February, and the index for dairy and related products rose 0.1 percent. In contrast, the meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index fell 0.1 percent over the month, the first decrease in that index since December 2021. The index for eggs fell 6.7 percent in February following sharp increases in recent months.

EPA Proposes PFAS Standards for Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday proposed the first-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS chemicals. As part of EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the agency proposed to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water. The proposal also initiates the distribution of $10 billion in funding to address emerging contaminants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the proposal "would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities." If finalized, the proposed regulation will require public water systems to monitor for these chemicals. Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, says, "Many farmers, producers and growers, at no fault of their own, have found alarmingly high levels of PFAS in their food products.” Last month, Manchin encouraged the Biden administration to provide funding to help farmers when they are forced to remove their products from the commercial market.