Simpson has long promoted biomass not only as a resources that provides clean, renewable energy, but also as a mechanism through which forests can be properly managed and the risk of catastrophic wildfires on public and private lands can be reduced. Biomass energy product also puts to use a byproduct that would otherwise be wasted or burned in the open. Read more »

“Giving U.S. potato growers full access to the market in Mexico would have a dramatically positive impact on the Idaho potato industry,” said Simpson. “I am hopeful that President Calderon will recognize that reducing trade barriers would prove beneficial to both of our countries.” Read more »

“The impact of the Farm Bill on Idaho’s farming and ranching families cannot be overestimated,” said Simpson. “Our ability to maintain a cheap, safe, and domestic supply of food in the United States is tied directly to the policies put forth in the Farm Bill. Too few people in our nation appreciate the complexities of maintaining a domestic supply of food while too many under appreciate the work, money, and emotion that goes into being a farmer or rancher. We have to do everything we can to keep our food grown right here in the United States and the hearing today helped move us in the right direction.” Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today came out in strong opposition to H.R. 5088, America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. This legislation cedes authority over all waters in the United States to the federal government, including water currently regulated by states, and makes it subject to regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. Read more »

“The EPA’s recent decision was a shot across Congress’s bow, telling us that if we don’t act quickly to pass sweeping, controversial climate change legislation, the EPA is going to do it for us,” Simpson said. “Unelected bureaucrats at EPA should not be allowed to circumvent the legislative process or override the will of the American people. It’s clear that we need to take action through H.R. 4572 to prevent them from doing so.” Read more »

“I’m deeply concerned that this legislation would give the federal government such a broad reach that it would significantly restrict farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to make decisions about their own property and threaten Idaho’s control over state water rights,” said Simpson. “The Clean Water Restoration Act is a big government land grab, pure and simple, and it is being forced on the agriculture community by people who don’t know the first thing about crops or cows.” Read more »