The Biden administration has run out of time for reviewing California’s remaining requests for clean air waivers. That leaves the Air Resources Board without the authority to enforce its sales ban on diesel trucks and rules for clean locomotives.
CARB Chair Liane Randolph shared disappointment that the U.S. EPA was unable to act on all the requests in time but described CARB’s decision to pull back as “an important step, given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration.” She noted that the first Trump administration had “attacked” California’s climate programs and that Trump plans to oppose them again.
Randolph said CARB is reassessing its options as it moves forward with other programs to improve air quality and tackle climate change. In December EPA approved a sales ban on new gas-powered cars and pickups. In 2023 the agency gave the green light to CARB’s earlier truck and bus regulation requiring half of all sales to cover zero-emission models by 2035.
Wonderful Co. denies water hoarding claims
After a social media storm of accusations in the midst of Los Angeles’ devastating fires, The Wonderful Co. responded to accusations of water hoarding via their Instagram.
They denied that their company or any other individual controls the majority of the state’s water, nor that they have any control of the LA water supply. They added that they use less than 1% of the state’s water, which is used solely for farming and ranching.
The company linked out to several articles refuting claims that they had anything to do with slowing the pace of fighting back the multiple fires across LA County.
Ways and Means Republicans warn of estate tax hit to farmers
If Congress allows the 2017 tax cuts to expire, Republicans argue farmers will be particularly affected by a reduced estate tax exemption.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled the estate tax exemption. In 2025 inheritances of less than $13.99 million are tax-free. But the temporary increase sunsets at the end of the year.
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Farmers with land assets that have grown in value could be particularly affected by the TCJA’s expiry, Republicans warned in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Some two million U.S. farmers are “facing a potential increase in their death tax if Congress doesn't act soon,” committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., said.
Iowa’s Rep. Randy Feenstra went even further and suggested Congress should eliminate the estate tax altogether. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., countered, however. “[If] we really cared about our farmers, we’d take this tariff discussion off the table now.”
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Some food industry groups frustrated with front-of-pack proposal
Consumer and public health groups largely celebrated the Food and Drug Administration’s long-awaited proposal on front-of-pack labeling Tuesday, but some complained it is overly simplistic.
The proposed labeling features a black-and-white nutrition box with information on saturated fat, sodium and added sugar.
"This long overdue proposal has potential to usher in healthier consumer purchases, incentivize companies to produce healthier products, and stem the rising tide of preventable conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease," said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
But some industry groups said the proposal was too simplistic.
The International Dairy Foods Association said the proposal could stigmatize certain dairy products by not including information on additional, beneficial nutrients. The Sugar Association said the limited label information required could incentivize the use of artificial sweeteners that many consumers try to avoid.
The Consumer Brands Association and the Food Industry Association (FMI) appeared disappointed that the FDA’s proposal did not more closely resemble the voluntary industry “Facts up Front” labeling.
Read more about the proposal here.
EPA warns of risks from PFAS-contaminated farm products
As the Biden administration winds down, EPA has taken an important new step in its effort to deal with contamination from PFAS chemicals, a significant concern for some farm groups. The agency has released a draft risk assessment that says using PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge on farms may expose growers and those eating affected agricultural products to health risks.
EPA modeling suggests consuming 32 ounces of milk, one liter of water, one egg, or one to two servings of fish per day from farmland or water exposed to contaminated sewage sludge may pose health risks, an EPA fact sheet says. The model reflects scenarios where farmers apply biosolids containing one part per billion of PFOA or PFOS, common types of PFAS. PFAS are also known as "forever chemicals."
But, but, but: Not all farms are expected to present a health risk, the assessment says. Biosolid application amounts, forever chemical concentrations and environmental conditions all affect the risk level associated with contaminated products, as does human consumption.
In a press release, EPA says its analysis "does not suggest that the general food supply is impacted by the use of biosolids that contain PFOA or PFOS.”
Tune in: EPA is holding a webinar at noon today to discuss the findings.
Alcohol, ag groups urge agencies to discard ICCPU report on alcohol
The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, a HHS committee, has published its draft report on the links between alcohol and health outcomes.
Among other findings, the report says low-level risk of dying from alcohol use begins with moderate consumption; higher levels of consumption are linked with higher rates of mortality risk.
Alcohol and agriculture groups were quick to criticize the report. A coalition of groups including the Beer Institute, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and National Association of Wheat Growers, say there was a lack of transparency and limited opportunities for stakeholder input throughout the process.
Final word:
“Washington treats our priorities as an afterthought.” — Rep. Adam Gray of Merced, who vowed to ensure San Joaquin Valley “farmers, dairymen and agricultural communities get our fair share” with his new appointments to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees.