Ky. county declares roads in 'state of emergency' because of coal-truck traffic

Members of the governing body of Pike County, Kentucky, in the heart of the Central Appalachian coalfield, voted unanimously this week to declare a state of emergency on two state highways they say were damaged by coal trucks, reports Chris Anderson of the Appalachian News Express in Pikeville. (Google map)

Magistrates of the county's Fiscal Court say the high volume of coal-truck traffic is a traffic hazard on the narrow, winding roads. The fiscal court approved an earlier emergency declaration on a road after a fatal accident there. "There are just so many coal trucks on those roads and the trucks are too big for the roads," Magistrate Hilman Dotson said.

Dotson said the emergency declaration could get both roads in the state's six-year road plan for improvements. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Joe Stanley told the magistrates that this is a typical problem on rural secondary roads: "A coal company will move in and within a month’s time, on these little roads, they’ll destroy them." He said the cabinet has tried to work with coal companies to maintain roads, but they've "not had any luck."

Anderson reports the magistrates highly praised coal companies during the meeting, despite complaining about the damage they cause. One suggested the fiscal court support a partnership with companies for a "Coal to Roads" program that would allow companies to turn over mine access roads for county use when mining is complete.

The News-Express makes stories available only to subscribers; its site is here.

In new Wild West of campaign finance, interests give big; Consol Energy is one, and some are secret

A breakdown of the federal campaign-finance regulation system, topped off by a year-old Supreme Court decision that gave corporations the same rights as people, has opened the doors to large-scale funding of campaigns by interests, some of them secret, that have much to gain or lose at the hands of the government. "Some are already in trouble with the government," note Jack Gillum, Richard Lardner and Stephen Braun, reporters for The Associated Press, who recently produced some examples of contributions that might create expectations that the favors will be returned.

A prime case was the $150,000 given by Consol Energy, which is the top producer of underground-mined coal and also has natural-gas interests, to a group supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Consol, formerly Consolidation Coal Co., "paid a $5.5 million fine last year for violations of the Clean Water Act at six of its mines," AP notes. "It is lobbying to prohibit the federal government from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Weeks after the company gave money to support Romney, who previously had agreed that humans are contributing to climate change, the candidate appeared to back off that position and said he would oppose spending high amounts of federal money to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, like those from coal plants."

The pro-Romney committee, Restore Our Future, "spent $8.8 million on ads in Florida alone, more than Romney's own campaign," AP reports. "A Romney campaign spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, dismissed any suggestion that wealthy donors are motivated by their private interests to fund the committee's operations." As long as the committee doesn't consult with the Romney campaign, it can accept unlimited contributions. The story deals with other candidates, in both parties. To read it, click here.

Not all the givers in the presidential race will be public. "More than a third of the advertising tied to the presidential race has been funded by nonprofit groups that will never have to reveal their donors, suggesting that a significant portion of the 2012 elections will be wrapped in a vast cloak of secrecy," Dan Eggen reports for The Washington Post. "The bulk of the secret money spent so far has come from conservative groups seeking to propel a Republican into the White House, advertising data show. . . . Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit group backed by GOP political guru Karl Rove, has spent more than $10 million on ads targeting Obama over the federal deficit, energy policies and other issues in the 2012 cycle." (Read more)

Nevada judge lets wild-horse roundups proceed; appeals court says another erred in barring photographer from earlier roundup

Even though the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has said it plans to reduce wild-horse roundups, a federal judge in Nevada has denied advocates' request to block roundups in the West, reports Scott Sonner of The Associated Press. Texas-based Free Wild Horse Federation said they feared horses were being abused, but Judge Howard McKibben said the group would have to take their concerns to Congress "if they think the animals ... need more protection."

McKibben granted a temporary restraining order last year that cut short a roundup near the Nevada-Utah border after a helicopter flew too close a horse in violation of the law. However, the BLM has made positive changes since then, he said, and he can't issue injunctions based on speculation about future abuse. "This court is not going to police all gathers in the U.S. or even all gathers in the district of northern Nevada," he said.

A lawyer for the group said the judge was its "last vestige of hope" because there is no other accountability. The BLM said in a formal review made public in December that horses in Triple B, a horse round-up facility, were whipped in the face, kicked in the head, dragged by rope around the neck and repeatedly shocked with electrical prods. But, the agency concluded none of the treatment was inhumane. (Read more)

UPDATE, Feb. 14: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that District Judge Larry Hicks did not properly weigh the First Amendment implications when he barred photojournalist Laura Leigh of Horseback magazine from covering the roundup. "A court cannot rubber-stamp an access restriction simply because the government says it is necessary," two judges on the three-judge panel wrote, directing Hicks to reconsider the issues. For details from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, click here.

Prescription-drug abusers are taking dogs to veterinarians to get painkillers for themselves

Law enforcement agencies are dealing with yet another way drug seekers are trying to get their hands on prescriptions pills — through their pets. In Paducah, Ky., a woman was charged with doctor shopping by taking her dog to several veterinarians, reports Lauren Adams of WPSD-TV.

"The dog was diagnosed with something that would be treated with tramadol," said Ryan Norman, a drug detective with the McCracken County Sheriff's Department. The painkiller can be used by dogs and humans. When Tonya Rolison, 46, never brought the dog back for the required treatment, her vet became suspicious and contacted police.

That resulted in a month-long investigation that allegedly pointed to Rolison doctor shopping — going from everyone from physicians to veterinarians to gain prescriptions. "People get creative," Norman said. "They seek other ways to get what they need." (Read more)

Transportation bill would cut funding for programs that improve safety for rural Americans

A transportation bill in the House would cut federal funding to repair roads and bridges, and safety programs for pedestrians, school children and bike-riders, reports Stephen Davis of Greater Greater Washington. The changes would hit rural communities especially hard. Environmental, business and labor groups are all opposed to it and are encouraging people to call representatives telling them to vote "no" on it. Politico reports that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has called it "the worst transportation bill" he's seen in 35 years.

The bill would end a 30-year precedent of dedicating 20 percent of federal fuel taxes to fund mass transit, open almost all U.S. coastal waters to oil and gas drilling and eliminate funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety and the "Safe Routes to School" program. Several newspaper editorial boards have expressed disdain for the bill. The Sacramento Bee says that if the bill is passed, "the nation's transportation network will take a giant step backward to a 'roads only' policy," and Congress should find ways to reduce emissions and traffic congestion, which would increase under the bill. The New York Times calls the bill "so uniquely bad" that it defies belief.

10 states get flexibility in No Child Left Behind; officials schedule conference call for 2:45 p.m.

The White House announced this morning that the federal government is giving 10 states much greater leeway in meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which many rural school districts have found difficult to meet.

The states are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Three of the waivers were conditional, depending on changes in their plans, but those states were not immediately specified.

"The administration is continuing to work closely with New Mexico, the 11th state" that met the application deadline for the first round, a White House press release said. "Twenty-eight other states along with D.C. and Puerto Rico have indicated their intent to seek waivers."

In exchange for the waivers, "States have to agree to adopt 'college- and career-ready' standards, such as the Common Core State Standards approved by 46 states and the District of Columbia; put in place new systems for evaluating teachers and principals; and come up with aggressive plans to improve the performance of low-performing schools," Sean Cavanagh of Education Week reports.

President Obama is to make the formal announcement at 1:55 p.m. EST. At 2:45, the director of his Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Munoz, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan will hold a conference call to discuss it. Journalists should call 800-230-1096 and ask to join the White House call. No passcode is necessary.

Map showing likely paths of electric transmission lines intended to be resource for journalists

The Center for Rural Affairs' Clean Energy Transmission Database has created a map of clean-energy transmission projects "intended to help journalists, communities, landowners, local and state policymakers and other stakeholders track clean-energy transmission developments in their region," the center reports. The database attempts to provide up-to-date information about projects in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest.

The map is a "rough approximation" of where transmission lines will be constructed because most projects are still in planning stages, the website says, but it will be continually updated when new information is available. Click here to view the map.

The organization has released a report about the economic impact of new energy transmission on rural communities. It has also created a list of "transmission principles" that highlight what it believes are concerns and priorities that should govern transmission planning. "We want to be your source for information, facts, and news regarding clean energy transmission," the website says. (Read more)

Fracking isn't new; ProPublica tracks its history

Investigative journalism website ProPublica has created a chart mapping the history of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the U.S. Lena Groeger reports fracking has only recently become a household name, but "government involvement with the drilling technique goes back decades." What's made it news is its use in deep, dense shales pierced by horizontal drilling, and the resulting boost in gas reserves.

Groeger writes that President Obama has called for expanded drilling and more regulations, and despite "mounting evidence of water contamination," few regulations have been implemented. The graphic, which dates as far back as 1969, "traces officials' moves - and levels of caution - over time. It can be accessed here.

Pa. letting local governments tax gas drilling, but locals say bill cuts their land-use authority, and enviros worry about industry's lobbying of locals

The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation this week establishing an "impact fee" or tax for natural-gas drillers. The bill would give local governments power to tax drillers and set development standards, and is a compromise two years in the making, reports Amy Worden of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania is the only state with gas drilling that doesn't tax the industry. Supporters say the bill will help the state take advantage of "a valuable revenue stream," but some local officials and environmentalists say it would eliminate local control over land use. It's set to pass in the House today, and Republican Gov. Tom Corbett has said he'll sign it into law. (Bloomberg photo: Pennsylvania gas drilling rig)

Revenue is estimated to be $190,000 to $355,000 per well over 15 years, and would be distributed by the state to communities most affected by the industry. Some would remain in state coffers for infrastructure and environmental programs, reports John Micek of The Morning Call in Allentown. A small share would likely be set aside to help develop a petrochemical refinery in the southwestern part of the state. The bill would give the state's Public Utility Commission power to collect and distribute fees and determine which local rules companies must follow.

That riled local officials, who say the bill would "eliminate their ability to decide where gas development could happen," taking away their control over municipal land, Micek reports. Democratic Sen. Lisa Boscola said she voted no on the bill because the fee wouldn't be levied by state government. "We're going to see a lot of these rural commissioners in the rural areas lobbied to death by the big gas companies," she said. "We're a commonwealth. We should do it." Environmentalists contend safety and environmental measures in the bill are weak, reports Sabrina Tavernise of The New York Times. A South Fayette Township commissioner said local governments had been "sold out to the gas industry." Environmental group Clean Water Action estimates that zoning laws in 100 to 200 municipalities would be in question.

To reiterate: American Electric Power chief says coal is here to stay

Coal's not going anywhere, according to American Electric Power's CEO, Nick Akins, even though production will decrease to 39 percent from 45 by 2020, reports Megan Workman of The Charleston Gazette. "Once technology is proven, you'll start to see coal come back," he said. "We still need coal. . . . If someone is trying to eliminate that, it's just not going to happen." He made the remarks during a speech at the University of Charleston during its event "Energy: Who's Got the Power?"

Akins said AEP, which serves 38 eastern and central U.S. states, faces the challenge of adhering to mandates that have an impact on electricity rates paid by customers. He said West Virginia's lack of an energy policy is "counterproductive" and state regulators need to "speak up" to change this. He said the company is an advocate for coal, but natural gas will be a "bigger piece of the puzzle" in the future. Before AEP, Akins served as CEO of Southwestern Electric Power, with customers in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. He oversaw AEP's efforts to adopt new technology addressing climate-change concerns. (Read more)

Governor goes to Ohio's booming gas fields for his State of the State address, touts new jobs

By Bill Reader, Ohio University
Partner, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues

Ohio Gov. John Kasich broke with tradition Tuesday by giving the annual State of the State address at a small-town high school in Appalachian Ohio rather than in the Columbus statehouse. Kasich spent a portion of his speech talking about the dominant issue in that region and a major plank in his administration's priorities — coal mining and natural gas exploration and drilling — just days after announcing a $500 million investment in the region's booming natural-gas industry.

"If we can create a national energy policy, we need an energy policy in Ohio," Kasich said in his speech. "We are the Saudia Arabia of coal. We need to clean it and burn it. We also need to be for renewable energy. We need to embrace renewable energy. We need to have energy conservation, and we need to use our natural gas through fracking. We can't degrade the environment at the same time we're developing this industry."

The first-term governor gave his speech in the auditorium of the Steubenville High School, on the Ohio River across from West Virginia's Northern Panhandle and near the Pennsylvania border. Steubenville has a population of fewer than 19,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The day before Kasich's speech, the Steubenville Herald Star reported that the governor had announced that Denver-based MarkWest planned to expand its processing plant in nearby Marshall County and to build new plants in the region.

The newspaper contacted the company to verify Kasich's claims: "A spokesman for MarkWest, who declined to give his name, said the company could not divulge the cost of the new plants. He also said the company is still working out the details for the exact locations for the Ohio facilities." The development could create hundreds of short-term construction jobs and more than 40 long-term jobs, a MarkWest official told the newspaper.

That region of Ohio has seen considerable activity related to the Marcellus and Utica shale gas exploration and drilling. Last week, the Herald Star reported that another related facility might be built in nearby Belmont County — an "ethane cracker" that would remove ethane from the "wet" natural gases in the shale deposits. A Kasich spokesman would only confirm to the newspaper that Royal Dutch Shell was considering building such a facility in Eastern Ohio. A local county commissioner told the newspaper that such a facility could create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term jobs.

Not all the news related to the oil-and-gas boom in Ohio has been about economic growth in the traditionally depressed region. Weeks earlier, D&L Energy held a news conference in Youngstown to discuss the company's oil-and-gas wastewater well near the city, which a Columbia University seismologist has said "almost certainly" caused as many as 11 small earthquakes in the region.

Ohio has about 170 such sites to dispose of the brine and fluids used in hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," of the shale deposits to release the oil and gas. A special report by The Columbus Dispatch states that "more than half of the brine coming to Ohio injection wells is from the shale-gas fields in Pennsylvania" and "The disposal industry is expected to grow as Ohio’s shale is exploited."

If you know of a comprehensive list of post offices that might be closed, tell us; the USPS won't

Millville, W.Va., P.O., since closed

Steve Hutkins of Save the Post Office has found out what we learned months ago, that there is no public, comprehensive list of potential office closures on the U.S. Postal Service's website. "One gets the impression that the service would prefer that the public not have access to this data," he writes, correctly.

On a micro level, the information is not really secret, as Hutkins notes: "Every community that sees its post office close down ... knows about it, and there's usually at least one local news article when a post office closes." But, he says, most closures happen "below the radar," making it hard to see the national scope of the issue.

Hutkins sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the Postal Service asking for complete list of closures, but the agency told him it would cost $650 plus photocopying to compile it, and implied it could not do it. He's been trying to get data from local news reports and other sources, but admits that's "time consuming and prone to error." Even the USPS website has incorrect information and isn't frequently updated, he says.

He reports some success: USPS released several lists to Ruth Goldway, chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission. She made a request in January for the information as part of the PRC's annual compliance report. Hutkins notes the lists have several errors and "anomalies," found by Evan Kalish of Going Postal, a photo blog recording offices forced to close. Goldway requested seven lists, five of which have been given with two forthcoming. Hutkins links to each list and adds his commentary about them on Save the Post Office. (Read more)

Postal service plans to let newspapers count electronic subscriptions on their mailing forms

The U.S. Postal Service has published a proposed rule that would allow newspapers to list electronic subscriptions on their annual postal statements, the fundamental documentation of weekly newspaper circulation in the United States. The change would allow newspapers to place on a sworn, official document a form of circulation that is becoming increasingly important to rural papers, partly because of increasingly slow delivery of mailed copies, especially outside the papers' home counties.

"If copies that get poor delivery to distant addresses are sold e-subs instead of print copies, they [will] save printing and higher postage of 30-60 cents per copy, depending on weight and distance," explained Max Heath, postal specialist for the National Newspaper Association, the largest organization for community newspapers in the U.S. The NNA has been lobbying for such a change for four years.

Electronic subscription, as long as they totaled less than 60 percent of total circulation, could help a newspaper qualify for favorable mailing rates for its printed copies. To do that, a paid subscription would have to be sold for no less than 30 percent of the regularly published rate for a print subscription. Many newspapers are selling combination print and electronic subscriptions, but they would not be allowed to double-count them.

The proposal is open for comment until March 5. For the Federal Register pages containing the proposal, click here. UPDATE, Feb. 27: For a column by NNA consultant Max Heath, written for newspapers, go here. 

Raw-milk advocates in Ky. switch efforts to bill that would allow shared ownership of dairy cows

Even as The Associated Press reports "an outbreak of bacterial infections on the East Coast illustrates the popularity of raw, unpasteurized milk despite strong warnings from public health officials about the potential danger," the fight for raw milk continues in several states. In Kentucky some advocates who couldn't get a raw-milk sales bill passed have substituted the idea of "cow sharing," reports Janet Patton of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Generally, state laws allow people to drink raw milk from their own cows, and "cow sharing" allows people to buy into a herd, supporting care of cows, and share in the resulting dairy products. John-Mark Hack of Marskbury Farm Market in Lancaster said there is a lot of interest in this program because people want access to fresh dairy products. Kentucky Department of Public Health regulations prohibit raw milk sales.

Republican state Sen. John Schickel, sponsor of the bill to facilitate cow-sharing in Kentucky, said it is about "food-liberty issues," and follows the national trend to "get closer to the source" of food. But opponents say his bill could be dangerous because it's a step closer to legalizing raw milk sales. "If you have several people in cow shares, you have to ask, is this a loophole? Is this an effort to have no regulatory oversight in the process to consumers?" said Kentucky Dairy Development Council executive director Maury Cox. Advocate Sally O'Boyle said raw milk is no more dangerous than cantaloupe or spinach, which have been connected to recent outbreaks of food-borne illness. The bill, which would allow local governments to override it, is out of committee and on the Senate floor. (Read more)

UPDATE: The Ky. Senate passed the bill on Feb. 10 with a vote of 22-15. Most "yes" votes came from Republicans. The bill now moves to the Democratically controlled state House. The state's Community Farm Alliance published a break-down of how senators voted.

W.Va. governor asks for mandatory drug testing as main legislative response to drug-free disaster

New West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's main legislative response to the April 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine disaster is mandatory drug testing for coal miners, even though the state's deputy mine-safety director told legislators this week that drug use wasn't a factor in the disaster, reports Ken Ward Jr. of The Charleston Gazette. The state's Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training hasn't released its report about the disaster, but independent reports from special state investigator Davitt McAteer, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and the United Mine Workers didn't mention drug use.

"Investigative reports released to date generally agree that the Upper Big Branch disaster was caused by Massey Energy's systematic failure to follow safety rules governing mine ventilation, roof control, and the cleanup of highly explosive coal dust," Ward reports. He writes on his Coal Tattoo blog that McAteer reported no drugs were in the systems of the 29 miners killed at Upper Big Branch, according to autopsy reports.

Tomblin said he wants drug testing as a way to increase mine safety, citing a history of drug abuse among miners. The industry is "pushing the idea, which it has long championed," Ward reports. Some lawmakers and UMW representatives say the bill is unnecessary because companies already require drug testing.

Ward says on Coal Tattoo that one crucial question about the bill hasn't been addressed: "How specifically would either of these bills prevent the next mine disaster?" He also says it's diverting attention from reforms that are actually based on facts from Upper Big Branch, which is "maybe exactly what the coal industry wants." The industry, he says, was opposed to a similar drug-testing measure introduced by MSHA during the Bush administration because it would have required mine operators to "give miners who test positive the first time a chance to seek treatment and get their lives straightened out before they could be fired."

California legislature restores school transportation budget, but just for this year

Cuts to school bus transportation in California started Jan. 1, hitting rural schools especially hard. School officials, parents and students in rural districts rallied, though, and Teresa Watanabe of the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the state legislature restored $248 million to the school transportation budget.

Senate Bill 81 will affect all districts, regardless of location or size. In order to restore funding, lawmakers agreed to cut per-student funding across the board by $42. "We're very happy because at least the cut is being done in a more equitable manner," said Edgar Zazueta, the Los Angeles Unified School Board's chief lobbyist. The district filed a lawsuit against the state when cuts were announced last year to have its funding restored. In Death Valley, students are bused more than 2 hours to school every day, and school board member Debra Watterson said the restoration of funding was a big relief. Restoration could be very short-lived, though: Gov. Jerry Brown has eliminated the school transportation budget in his 2012-2013 budget. (Read more)

Some state legislators want bills to better track metal theft, regulate scrap recycling

Copper and metal theft is a persistent problem in many rural areas where thieves sell it for scrap. Several state lawmakers are trying to tighten restrictions on scrap sales to curb thefts, with most proposed bills aimed at regulating the metal recycling industry. If proposed bills pass into law, it could become an example for other states struggling with metal theft.

In Georgia, farmers whose irrigated fields and crops are torn up by thieves hunting for copper, the state Farm Bureau says the thefts have cost its members about $1 million, not counting those that aren't reported because farmers fear it will make them uninsurable, reports Maggie Lee of The Macon Telegraph. One proposed bill would require metal recyclers get a license and check ID and collect thumbprints from anyone trying to sell metal to them. It would also make it a felony to illegally buy or sell scrap metal worth more than $500.

Similarly, Alabama lawmakers want a current bill revised to combine total worth of stolen metal and total cost of property damage committed, reports Laura Camper of The Anniston Star. The total amount will likely make crimes worth enough to be considered a felony rather than a misdemeanor, and courts would be able to make thieves repay that total to property owners. The bill would require metal recyclers to take a picture of sellers and record their ID, vehicle identification number and address. They would also have to mail checks to customers and wait three days before selling the metal.

Vermont legislators are trying to better regulate scrap yards. A proposed bill in the state would require recyclers hold metal for 15 days, segregated from other metal and keep information on the seller, Gordon Dritschilo of the Rutland Herald reports. It would create a reporting form for purchases from anyone who's not an authorized scrap dealer, and allow someone suing over theft to recover the total cost of metal stolen and property damage. Co-sponsor of the bill Rep. Herb Russell said these changes will make it easier to catch thieves. (Read more)

Rush to build solar farms in West has left environmental concerns of some in the dust

Photo by Mark Boster, Los Angeles Times: Ivanpah solar plant in Mojave Desert

Industrial-scale solar energy development is "well underway" in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, bolstered by the federal government giving the industry 21 million acres of public land on which to build, reports Julie Cart of the Los Angeles Times. Hundreds of square miles of desert will be permanently disturbed, even if just a few solar farms are completed, and this has riled those who thought solar development was a non-harmful alternative to burning fossil fuels. Cart reports the Mojave Desert "is about to take one for the team" in the fight against climate change.

"For decades, America's Western deserts have been dusty storehouses for government scrap, a lode for minerals, a staging ground for tanks and military maneuvers," Cart writes, but the newest onslaught of solar development is creating a sense of urgency, with BrightSource Energy's Ivanpah solar plant in California standing as "an exclamation point in the desert." The plant could generate enough energy to power 140,000 homes during peak hours. Solar is expensive, though, costing three times more than coal or natural gas, so consumers pay 50 percent more for it, according to the California Public Utitlities Commission. The Obama administration has offered $45 billion in tax credits to solar companies, creating a land rush for public desert land.

Bureau of Land Management biologist Larry LaPre said some aspects of BrightSource's project were "carefully considered and painstakingly done," but others are "complete nonsense." Jeffrey Lovich, who studies desert tortoises for the U.S. Geological Survey, said it's unknown what will happen to wildlife when a solar farm is built. (Photo: Desert tortoises have been rounded up and placed in pens near the plant, pending relocation.)

Some environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the Natural Resources Defense Council "have been largely mute" because they helped with development plans. Cart reports 24 environmental groups signed statements supporting solar developers, agreeing with federal officials and solar companies that the urgency of climate change has "forced difficult trade-offs." The National Park Service, Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration have voiced concern, though, for various reasons relevant to each agency. (Read more)

End of federal payments to counties with national forest land having huge impact on local budgets

Federal payments to counties dependent on timber production from national forests are expiring this year. Oregon likely faces the biggest hit because more than 50 percent of its land is federally owned. Eighteen of the state's western counties received final payments from the Bureau of Land Management at the end of January, reports Alex Paul of the Democrat-Herald of Albany. The state will lose an allotment that's totaled $2.6 billion since 2000, reports Joel Millman of The Wall Street Journal. That payout has been the primary source of funding for 24 of the state's rural counties, helping "pay the bills for many of these areas since 1937." Many local officials in some counties are worried the cuts in funding will be a major blow to their operations, including those at local schools. (Read more)

Shoshone County, Idaho, is losing 48 percent of its funding, which is used for roads and schools, reports Kelsey Saintz of the Shoshone News Press in Kellogg. Kathie Durbin of The Columbian reports Skamania County, Washington, is losing half of its operating budget. While most of the attention on the program's end has focused on Western states, it affects any county with national forest land. Amy Harris of The Charleston Gazette reported last September that 13 counties and more than 111 public schools would lose almost $10 million a year unless Congress renewed it, which seems unlikely. 

Appalachian author's play focuses on discrimination against LGBT residents in rural communities

Kentucky author Silas House intended to write his first play about mountaintop-removal coal mining, but he changed his mind because of several incidents linked to a failed attempt to establish a fairness ordinance in the town of Berea protecting rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. House is director of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College, and says his play, "This Is My Heart For You," is "loosely based on an incident in Hazard," Ky., in which two gay men were kicked out of a public pool for public displays of affection, reports Crystal Wylie of The Richmond Register.

The town where the play is set is divided on whether the pool manager is a bigot or a hero. House told Wylie his play "shines a light on the bigger issues of equality, hypocrisy, and compassion in America today." He got a lot of material from discussion threads about the Berea fairness ordinance and the Hazard pool incident on Topix.com. One whole scene is taken almost verbatim from a discussion on the site. "If you’re looking into the heart of a community in modern America," House said, "you must go to Topix.com." (The head of Topix has said it gets more traffic from Kentucky than any other state.)

The play is fair to both sides of the debate, House said. It's not a critique or "taking fundamentalists and tearing them apart," he said; it's a look "into the heart of a town and all their complexities." He says faith is a continuing theme in the play, with characters just trying to "stick to their beliefs." He made a point to portray gay and straight people in the play as strong believers. House also says he wanted to show Appalachia as a contemporary place. "This Is My Heart For You" will be performed Feb. 22-25 at 8p.m. and on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. in Berea College's Jelkyl Drama Center. For reservations, call 859-985-3300. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students. (Read more)

Kansas dental groups hope loan repayment program will attract dentists to rural areas

Two Kansas dental groups plan to start a college-loan repayment program that will entice dentists to locate in rural areas of the state. Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and the Kansas Dental Association will use $150,000 to send three dentists to western Kansas where there is "inadequate coverage by dentists, who often are reluctant to locate in areas without a potential client base sufficient to balance revenues with operation costs and education loans," reports Tim Carpenter of The Capital-Journal.

Participants would have to work in a rural communities for three to four years to receive $50,000 for repaying their student loans. The program was modeled after a similar one in Iowa which indicated that incentives draw dentists to "difficult-to-attract" locations. But with some dental school graduates racking up $165,000 in loans, it's hard to convince them to move to sparsely populated places, and some say adding three dentists a year in places would still not meet demand. Delta Dental and KDA hope to have a list of applicants by May. (Read more)

Creative economy thrives in rural clusters in Miss.

The Blues Trail is part of the creative industry.
(Photo by Regional Technology Strategies)

In an attempt to find out how important "creative jobs" are to a state's economy and rural communities, the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Mississippi Development Authority commissioned a study about the state's creative industry. Regional Technology Strategies founder Stuart Rosenfeld, who helped conduct the study, reports for the Daily Yonder that the state's creative industries employ about 45,000 people. That might seem small when compared to metropolitan areas, he writes, but Mississippi's creative industry cluster is larger than many of the state's other clusters, including information technology and defense. The study and what's happening in Mississippi could be examples for other rural states.

Rosenfeld reports the creative economy "depends on non-profit organizations, cultural and entertainment events and venues, and places where creative enterprises can be started, housed, and displayed." The Arts Commission supports the Mississippi Whole School Initiative, which "maintains an emphasis on the arts in the public schools even as so many other states are de-emphasizing these areas." Rosenfeld reports the creative economy "is a home grown industry," because it's "embedded in the culture, traditions, and history" of the state. He profiles a selection of creative industry success stories, including stories from the state's Gulf Coast, the Delta region and the Mississippi School for the Arts, a residential arts school for high school juniors and seniors. (Read more)

Feb. 20 is deadline to nominate a Local Hero for using open-government laws to make a difference

Do you know someone who has made a difference in their community by using information gleaned through freedom of information laws of the states or federal government? You have until Feb. 20 to nominate them as a "Local Hero" to be recognized during Sunshine Week, March 11-17.

Sunshine Week is designed to focus attention on, and spur dialogue about, the importance ofprotecting and utilizing access to government information.Nominations for “Local Heroes” may be submitted online by going here.

Ron Paul counts on rural votes in Nevada, Maine; falls short in the Silver State

UPDATE: Mitt Romney easily won the Nevada caucuses, getting about 40 percent of the vote in early returns. Ron Paul, running third with 15 percent of the vote counted, carried rural Nye and Esmerelda counties; Newt Gingrich, running second, carried rural Mineral County. For coverage from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, go here. Politico reports, "In a state where expectations for his campaign were higher than anywhere else to date, the Texas congressman’s third-place finish marked an underwhelming outcome for a candidate whose strategy is predicated on running well in caucus states like Nevada." (Read more)

Photo (via Politico): Nevada rally

Ron Paul is counting on a big vote from rural Nevada in today's Republican caucuses, reports James Hohmann of Politico: "In Pahrump, Paul tailored his message to rural voters who are even more interested than his typical backers in government leaving them alone. 'Independence' was the key buzzword. He decried the loss of property rights and drew some of his biggest cheers when he pledged to eliminate the Department of the Interior. (Read more)

In the crowd were owners and employees of brothels, which are legal in most of rural Nevada. Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch near Carson City, almost 400 miles northeast of Pahrump, told NBC's Anthony Terrell, "The Bunny Ranch bunnies are supporting Ron Paul because he’s for states' rights." Hof's girlfriend, Cami Parker, added, "All the bunny babes are registered Republicans. We will be at the caucus on Saturday and we are pimping for Paul." (Read more)

Maine, the most rural state, also has caucuses today, but they will continue until next Saturday. There, Politico says,  it's a two-man race between Paul and Romney.

Cuts in home-heating assistance hit hard in Maine

Cuts in the home-heating assistance program are hitting hard in Maine, where "at this time of year, almost nothing matters here as much as basic heat," writes Dan Barry of The New York Times. "While federal officials try to wean the country from messy and expensive heating oil, Maine remains addicted. The housing stock is old, most communities are rural, and many residents cannot afford to switch to a cleaner heat source." (Times photo by Nicole Bengiveno)

Barry runs the numbers: "As part of the drive to cut spending, the Obama administration and Congress have trimmed the energy-assistance program that helps the poor — 65,000 households in Maine alone — to pay their heating bills. Eligibility is harder now, and the average amount given here is $483, down from $804 last year, all at a time when the price of oil has risen more than 40 cents in a year, to $3.71 a gallon."

Barry's article is built around a heart-rending tale of a man who saw his heating assistance cut by three-fourths, was running out of oil and had no money to buy a load, and had unpaid bills that kept him from getting a third load on credit. To read the tale, click here.

The state tightened eligibility requirements, reports Emily Guerin of The Forecaster in Falmouth. Governments in some towns (every place in rural New England is part of a town) and nonprofit organizations are supplementing assistance. "Some have aggressively raised money, while others have set aside tax revenue to help heat residents' homes," Guerin writes.

Kansas agriculture interests want feds to OK program to place illegal immigrants in jobs

Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman, right, wants the federal government to start a pilot program that would connect undocumented immigrants who have been in the state for five years with agricultural employers who Rodman says are struggling to find workers. "You've got to listen to your customers," Rodman told Tim Carpenter of The Capital-Journal in Topeka.

The federal Department of Homeland Security "hasn't signaled approval," Carpenter writes, but "Those officials haven't closed the door either." He adds, "A powerful coalition of business interests is preparing to tackle the issue in Topeka," including the state Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau.

"This is the same coalition that contributed in the 2011 session to blocking a version of the controversial Arizona immigration measure compelling  police officers to detain individuals they think might be undocumented," Carpenter notes. "The plan is to reach out to experienced, committed workers with no criminal background. A likely candidate would be a person who entered Kansas on a visa that expired years ago." (Read more)

Foundations, others discuss ideas for increasing philanthropy in rural America

One of the greatest disparities between rural and urban America is in philanthropy. As you might expect, rural places get the short end of the stick. Recently the Council on Foundations and the Chronicle of Philanthropy held a Twitter chat with representatives from various foundations  and others to discuss the issue.

"Some of the topics discussed were: common goals and interests of rural funders, challenges rural funders are facing, how rural funders identify community, how can rural funders use public policy and public-philanthropy more effectively and whether the resources are available to capture the transfer of wealth opportunity in rural communities," reports the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship of the Rural Policy Research Institute.

"There were a lot of great takeaways for the success of rural philanthropy," Ahmet Binerer of the center reports. "Participants emphasized the importance of youth retention and attraction (this is vital for the future of rural communities), involvement in community meetings (social media can be utilized to get more people involved in community meetings, strengthening connection to place), and success stories (very powerful to get the message across)." The full conversation is archived here.

This is the 6,000th post on The Rural Blog since it migrated to Blogger in 2007.

Big Rural Brainstorm in Kan. aims to develop ideas for small towns, connect with those who might help

At least 200 people have showed up today in Newton, Kan., at the Big Rural Brainstorm, designed to "develop ideas and projects for improving small Kansas communities in the areas of economic development, education, small business, environment, entertainment, housing, telecommunications and community foundations," reports Emily Behlmann of the Wichita Business Journal.

"Another goal of the event, planners say, is to match needs with those who can fulfill needs," Behlmann reports. "The event included a 'bank' where individuals from small towns could post things they needed to improve their communities, like talent or funds. Attendees will be able to view the needs to see if they can help. The brainstorm also gives special emphasis to the generation [organizer Marci] Penner dubbed the Power-Ups ... 21- to 39-year-olds who choose to live in rural Kansas." For an advance story by James Jordan of The Kansan in Newton, go here.

Telecoms try to erect obstacles to publicly provided broadband in Georgia

Georgia is the latest state where telecommunications companies are trying to get laws passed to make it more difficult for local governments to provide broadband service. "Representatives of rural cities and counties across Georgia told a panel of state senators on Thursday that they had to create the broadband networks private providers refused to bring to their communities, The Associated Press reports.

The telecoms' Senate Bill 313 is sponsored by the Senate majority leader, Republican Chip Rogers. It "would prevent public broadband providers from paying for communication networks with tax or government funds and from offering their services at below-cost prices," AP reports. "It would also require local governments to hold hearings and a special election to become a public provider." (Read more)

A leader of the Blue Dog Democrats hangs it up

Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina, a leader of the conservative and mostly rural Blue Dog Democrats in the House, announced today that he would not run for re-election in his 11th District, which "was dramatically redrawn last year, removing the dependably Democratic heart of Asheville," reports John Boyle of that city's Citizen-Times. (C-T photo)

Shuler, a former quarterback for the University of Tennessee and the Washington Redskins, "is the 12th House Democrat to announce his retirement," notes Rachel Weiner of The Washington Post. "Another eight are running for other office, leaving 20 open seats for Democrats to defend. On the GOP side, seven lawmakers are retiring and seven are running for other office, for a total of 14 open seats." (Read more)

Retired veterinarian 'conflicted' on horse slaughter

Gayle England and horses in Oklahoma
(Brandy Simons, The New York Times) 

There has been much commentary about passage of the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture appropriation bill, which could lead to reopening of horse slaughterhouses. Most commentaries are on one side or the other, but retired veterinarian Nell Ahl of Middle Tennessee provides another perspective on the issue throughher column in The Hickman County Times of Centerville, and she reflects the conflicted feelings many of us have on the subject.

Ahl writes that she was appalled to learn in vet school that horses were slaughtered for meat, mainly for export, but after a professor explained some realities to her, she saw things a little differently.

"I had never though about what happens when a horse gets old, is unable to work or is just not wanted anymore," Ahl writes. Her professor explained that horses are expensive animals because of hoof care, hay costs and medical concerns. Horses are often left to starve to death over a long period of time, suffering a lot of pain. "Just remember, a truck ride of 100 miles or less, a quick bullet to the head, and all this pain is averted. The professor's arguments made sense," she says.

She recounts horrors horses faced when Congress forced the closure of horse slaughterhouses after 2006 by withholding money for inspecting the abattoirs, a stand recently reversed. Horses were often stuffed two-high into trucks and driven for thousands of miles to Canada or Mexico where slaughterhouses remained open. Now that they may be poised to re-open in the U.S., Ahl says she's still conflicted about the issue, but one thing's certain: "If it can help the suffering of neglected and abandoned horses in Hickman County, maybe it's not such a bad idea." (Read more)

Artist Christo's Arkansas R. draping draws local ire

Fremont County, Colorado, commissioners listened to more than 50 people voice concern or support Tuesday evening for a proposed art installation across the Arkansas River, reports Carie Canterbury of the Cañon City Daily Record. The artist, Christo, left, hopes to begin construction of his outdoor art installation "Over the River" this summer, and has submitted a temporary use permit for the project, to drape almost six miles of the river with fabric suspended bank-to-bank.

Federal land managers approved an environmental impact statement for the project last year, but opponents, mostly locals, filed suit in federal court yesterday to block construction. The group's lawsuit argues land managers didn't "adequately address" long-term effects on wildlife, specifically bighorn sheep, or the impact of boreholes, rock bolts and anchors that allegedly will have an effect "not unlike industrial mining." An Over the River spokesman said the environmental impact statement would not be undone by a lawsuit.(New York Times photo: Artist's rendering of final installation)

Photo by Jeff Shane, Daily Record

Members of Rags Over the Arkansas River say their concerns aren't being heard. ROAR President Dan Ainsworth, left, said supporters "painted a very rosy picture ... for a tragic event that's about to happen." Supporters, including local officials, contend "Over the River" is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will re-energize the local economy. "This is a $100 million economic gift from Christo over the next two years," said Doug Shane, executive director of the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce. The installation is projected to draw more than 400,000 visitors to Southern Colorado during its two-year construction and two-week final exhibition. Fremont County commissioners have received more than 470 letters about the project, and will use those and comments in public meetings to make their final decision about the temporary use permit. (Read more)

ROAR maintains "moneyed interests and state politicians were pushing a project that would mostly benefit outsiders," reports Kirk Johnson of The New York Times. 

W.Va. group calls for raising severance tax 20% to create fund for the time when coal runs out

The West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy has asked lawmakers to add 1 percentage point to the 5 percent severance tax on coal and natural gas and put the extra money in a long-term trust fund "to prepare our state for the day the coal and natural gas run out," reports The Charleston Gazette's Ken Ward Jr. The fund could be used for a variety of economic development efforts, including early childhood education, college grants to workforce training and infrastructure improvements. Similar programs exist in Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, Ward notes.

The policy center released a report saying that without a permanent trust fund, "The economic benefit from the natural resources extraction will decline along with the natural resources themselves," and "West Virginia is one of the least economically diverse states in the nation and relies heavily on its natural resources for revenue." If such a program had been created in 1980, the center says, the state would have a trust fund with assets of almost $1.9 billion. If a trust were started now, it would contain an estimated $5.8 billion by 2035. (Read more)

Ward doesn't speculate on the prospects for a higher severance tax, but Charleston Daily Mail Business Editor George Hohmann mentions that the legislature is already considering a much more modest planning-ahead idea from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin that wouldn't raise taxes, "an infrastructure reserve fund. It would receive a portion of the state's rainy-day fund and would help pay for road improvements, growing Medicaid expenses and water and sewer projects." (Read more)

Rural airport subsidies cut, but just a smidgen

The Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes air service to rural communities will be cut, but not as much as many of them feared, under a congressional agreement this week on operating authority for the Federal Aviation Administration over the next four years. The program will be cut to $190 million a year, from $200 million, The Associated Press reports

Communities that are within 175 miles of a hub airport and average fewer than 10 passengers a day would lose their federal subsidy. About a dozen communities would lose service if those rules were applied today. No new communities will be allowed to enter the program. This compromise comes months after House Republicans attempted to cut 13 cities from air subsidies and make it difficult for airline workers to unionize. But the agreement should "pave the way" for continued investment in rural airports, Paul Nyden of The Charleston Gazette reports.

USDA starts mortgage refinancing program, enterprise grant program for rural areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a pilot program to help rural homeowners refinance mortgages to lower monthly payments as part of its "ongoing efforts to help middle-class families, create jobs and strengthen the economy," a USDA press release said. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Refinance program will operate in 19 states hit hardest by the housing market downturn, and where homeowners have loans that were made or guaranteed by USDA Rural Development.

To be eligible, borrowers must have made mortgage payments on time for 12 consecutive months and the refinanced rates must be lower than original rates. Rural Development expects about 235,000 people will be eligible for the program, which will be reviewed after two years to determine its future. The 19 states are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Rural Development is also accepting applications for rural enterprise grants. Funding is available to public bodies, nonprofits and Indian tribes. "The goal is to facilitate and finance the development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural communities and cities with up to 50,000 in population," reports Megan Kamerick of New Mexico Business Weekly. Priority will be given to requests of $50,000 or less and for projects that support renewable energy, local food systems, multi-county or mulit-state economic and community development, cooperatives, business programs in counties with persistent poverty and underserved populations, including minority and women-owned businesses. (Read more)

Feds to revise, and apparently relax, proposal that would have tightened rules on child farm labor

By Al Cross
Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues

The U.S. Department of Labor will revise and apparently relax the controversial regulation that would have allowed children under 16 to do farm work only on farms wholly owned by their parents.

An unnamed department official told reporters on a conference call this afternoon that the new rule will take into account changes in corporate structure over the past few decades and the devices that farm families use to transfer ownership between generations, sometimes gradually. That was a major point of contention for farmers who objected to the proposal.

Department officials said they hope to propose a revised rule by early summer. Meanwhile, they said the department would revert to a less strict enforcement policy, last used 10 or more years ago, regarding child labor.

A 1966 federal law that prohibits children from doing certain hazardous jobs on farms "allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on a farm owned or operated by their parent or such person standing in the place of a parent," a department press release noted.

In 2002 or perhaps earlier, the department began interpreting "owned" to mean "wholly owned," and the proposed regulation would have formalized that policy, the department official said. Now, until the revised regulation is adopted, it will revert to the previous definition of "substantially owned."

Asked what that phrase means, the official talked instead about the rule to come: "It clearly will allow for a variety of corporate structures and family owners of a farm while still meeting the intent of Congress that the parent is in a unique position to look out for the welfare of the child in that context."

The new rule could also apply to grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said in the press release that her agency "appreciates and respects the role of parents in raising their children and assigning tasks and chores to their children on farms and of relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles in keeping grandchildren, nieces and nephews out of harm's way."

The proposed regulation stirred many complaints from farm and members of Congress. When the revised regulation is published, there will be another comment period, probably 60 days, before a final and perhaps further revised version of the rule can take effect. The department will take into account comments “particularly from rural communities and owners of family farms,” said the department official, who spoke on the condition that she be identified in that manner.

For more mainstream media coverage, see The Kalamazoo Gazette, the Greeley Tribune or The Wall Street Journal, which were among the outlets with reporters on the call who asked questions.

Seen a snowy owl lately? You're not alone

Photo by Sandy Milliken, Post Falls, Idaho

The U.S. has a snow shortage this winter, but a surplus of snowy owls. Thousands of the white birds have migrated from the Arctic into the lower 48 states this winter in what some specialists are calling "the most significant wildlife event in decades," reports Laura Zuckerman of Reuters. They've been seen as far west as Montana, as far east as Massachusetts and as far south as Oklahoma, and the phenomenon is likely linked to a boom in lemmings, small rodents that are 90 percent of the bird's food supply. Large lemming populations last season probably led to an owl population boom in which breeding pairs hatched up to seven chicks, compared to two in normal seasons.

The exact reason for the mass migration is unknown, but some think greater competition for food and climate change could be factors. Owl Research Institute director Denver Holt said snowy owl populations are in decline because of lower lemming populations, which have shrunk because climate change is limiting growth of grasses they eat. Owls could be flying south in great numbers to look for more food. Bird enthusiasts from across the U.S. are traveling to view the owls, "pouring tourist dollars into local economies and crowding parks and wildlife areas." (Read more)

Yahoo misses mark on ag jobs, aggies say

Yahoo Education, a news division of the search engine, listed agriculture as the most useless college degree in a Jan. 19 article. The assumption was based on Department of Labor data about available positions for farm managers, animal scientists, farmers and ranchers. This created immediate backlash from farmers, agriculture publications and educators. Western Farm Press reports the article not only revealed a divide between those who work in agriculture and those who don't, but didn't consider agriculture-related jobs that aren't on farms: "The result was a very narrow view of an industry that encompasses 21 million U.S. jobs."

The Yahoo piece did not mention that agriculture is one of few "bright spots" in a U.S. economy that's been stagnant for almost four years, Western Farm Press noted. While other industries struggle with global exports, agriculture is thriving, accounting for $137 billion last year. Farm Press says the "greater irony" of the article is that many supporting industries, including agricultural research, need more young people to fill positions. Wheat researchers, for instance, are in high demand.

The article was still generating Twitter traffic last week, and a Facebook page created in response to it, "I Studied Agriculture & I Have A Job," had 4,500 likes. Farm Press reports that "longtime aggies" can be heartened by one happy consequence of backlash to the Yahoo article, "showing their urban friends the rich opportunities available in one of our country’s most fundamental industries." (Read more)

Conservation Stewardship Program gets more signups as Conservation Reserve shrinks

Farmers are increasingly removing land from the Conservation Reserve Program to "cash in on higher-than-ever crop prices," but the similar Conservation Stewardship Program received so many sign-ups last week it won't be able to take them all. Tom Steever of Brownfield Ag News reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture can accept only 10.8 million acres of the 19 million offered. Dave White, chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, said contrary to a belief that sign-ups for programs are low, "high stewardship ethics" of ranchers, farmers and forest land owners have boosted sign-ups.

Differences between the programs are slight, but significant. Both are voluntary and provide landowners yearly payments from USDA, but the CRP offers payments in exchange for planting cover vegetation on former cropland to prevent erosion and water pollution and create habitat for wildlife. The CSP calls for "improving, maintaining and managing existing conservation activities," and starting more such activities. It pays for "operation-level environmental benefits."

S.D. electric co-ops want law changed to head off EPA-driven boost in taxes they pay to schools

Saying they are trying to keep electric rates low, South Dakota's rural electric co-ops are seeking to limit the growth of taxes they pay to schools. For decades, co-ops have paid tax on gross receipts from electricity sales in lieu of property taxes. Now they want the legislature to levy a tax per kilowatt hour sold, reports Bob Mercer of the Aberdeen News. The change would cut the growth in the co-ops' tax payments to an estimated 3.7 percent annually, compared to 6.7 percent without it.

Ed Anderson, executive director of the South Dakota Rural Electric Association, said changes are required because of new Environmental Protection Agency regulations which have forced two power plants that supply co-ops to retrofit at costs of $750 to $800 million. The costs become part of the rate base, and the basis for the gross-receipts tax. Lobbyists for the state's schools testified that schools are already "under financial strain" and can't afford to lose any revenue, but the committee voted 6-1 to send the bill to the full Senate. (Read more)

'Fear Factor' pulls segment after donkey lovers bray

Two contestants on the NBC television show "Fear Factor" leaked information about a stunt in which they participated during a taping last summer: drinking donkey semen with a urine chaser. Entertainment website TMZ.com broke the story over the weekend, and reported the American Donkey and Mule Society "had a visceral reaction to the news." The president of ADMS said the society doesn't "condone use of the animals in such a manner." The episode was set to air last night, but NBC pulled it. The network didn't say why. (TMZ photo) 

Rural towns lose jobs, revenue as prisons close

Years ago, state governments offered to build prisons in rural communities, where they would provide jobs and tax revenue. Now, tight budgets and moves to jail fewer nonviolent offenders are causing states to close dozens of prisons. The U.S. prison population in 2010 was 1.6 million, lowest in four decades. At least 13 states closed prisons, reports Justin Jouvenal of The Washington Post.

When the Mecklenburg Correctional Center near Boydton, Va. (Wikipedia map), closes, the town will lose 20 percent of its revenue and 300 jobs. Officials said they'll have to lay off most of the town's workers, triple water rates and reduce trash pickup. They said if the state doesn't help, the town could go bankrupt and be dissolved. The prison is the town's fifth largest employer and pays it $240,000 a year for sewer service. The facility became more important to the town when its manufacturing and tobacco economies faded. Other towns actively sought prison jobs that were thought "recession proof," and many rebuilt themselves around that idea, the Post reports. Jouvenal writes, "Boydton's bicentennial could turn into its wake." (Read more)

Rick Stone of the Miami Herald reports on the closure of a prison that was "the region's primary employer and economic engine" in Monticello, Fla. Read or listen here.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/01/closing-its-prison-could-stagger-rural-county.html#storylink=cpy"