Archive for May 3, 2010
USDA Announces Energy Grants For Agriculture, Rural Small Businesses
by John Weckerle
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a grant announcement for that may be of interest to some of our readers: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements, targeted at agricultural producers (including farmers and ranchers who gain 50 percent or more of their gross income from agricultural operations) and rural small businesses. Rural electric cooperatives may also be eligible to apply. Grants are awarded competitively and may provide up to 25% of total project costs, with a $500,000 limit on renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy improvments (the “floor” is $2,500 for renewable energy systems and $1,500 for energy efficiency improvements). The total estimated program funding is $51.5 million, and at least 20% of the grants will be for less than $20,000. The closing date for applications is June 30, 2010. For more information, see the Grants.gov announcement.
Mud Season, Fire Season, Mud Season, Silly Season…
by John Weckerle
With the weekend’s odd weather now behind us, the mud is starting to dry up a little here at New Mexico Central. However, the warm spring sun shining on our environs probably won’t do much to help us avoid mud of an entirely different nature. That’s right: with the Republican primary looming, TV campaign advertisement season has begun, if a little anemically.
We here at New Mexico Central don’t have an unlimited amount of time to sit in front of the television waiting for campaign advertisements, and perhaps that’s why we’ve seen relatively few so far. Thus far, we’ve noted two of Republican gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh’s commercials – one focusing on his military service, and another focusing on Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish’s supposed use of stimulus funds to fly the State jet to a parade. However, NMPolitics.net reports that this allegation is not true; the flight was paid for by the state’s general fund. In the same ad, Mr. Weh touts his use of a truck to get around. This article claims to show a picture of Mr. Weh’s truck parked in a red zone, purportedly parked there by Mr. Weh just before he got out and walked into a fundraiser with former Bush advisor Karl Rove. We have to wonder, however, whether Mr. Weh would really use his truck to get around if elected, given that his campaign is currently making its way around the state in the “Weh Forward Bus.” We have no information regarding whether the bus has been parking where it’s supposed to. »» Mud Season, Fire Season, Mud Season, Silly Season…