Battle brewing over labeling of genetically modified food [New York Times]
…Labeling bills have been proposed in more than a dozen states over the last year, and an appeal to the Food and Drug Administration last fall to mandate labels nationally drew more than a million signatures. There is an iPhone app: ShopNoGMO. The most closely watched labeling effort is a proposed ballot initiative in California that cleared a crucial hurdle this month, setting the stage for a probable November vote that could influence not just food packaging but the future of American agriculture….Farmers, food and biotech companies and scientists say that labels might lead consumers to reject genetically modified food — and the technology that created it — without understanding its environmental and economic benefits….For labeling proponents, California, where the Legislature would be bypassed by a direct popular vote, is the big prize.
Gov. Jerry Brown seeks to cap wildfire liabilities in California [Los Angeles Times]
Gov. Jerry Brown wants to limit the amount of money government agencies can recoup for battling wildfires and restoring damaged public lands. The proposal would prevent agencies from seeking payouts several times larger than the value of the land — a goal of the powerful timber industry, which has fought the federal government's efforts to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars after destructive wildfires in California….Richard Stapler, a spokesman for the California Resources Agency, said the government could still get compensated for fighting fires and rehabilitating land. However, government agencies could no longer seek what the Brown administration called "excessive damages."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-wildfires-20120525,0,7567588.story
State regulators raise existing cap on solar 'net metering' [San Jose Mercury News]
In a huge victory for solar customers and the states's growing solar industry, state regulators with the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted Thursday to effectively raise the current "cap" on net energy metering. Net metering, a popular policy that has been in place in California for 15 years, allows homeowners, school districts and businesses to offset the cost of their electricity with the rooftop solar power they generate and export to the grid. Current state law requires California's major utilities to make net metering available to customers on a first-come, first-served basis, but the program is capped at 5 percent of a utility's "aggregate customer peak demand." That means that as soon as a utility gets 5 percent of its electricity from solar customers, it is no longer required to sign new contracts. But Thursday's 5-0 vote more than doubles the size of the cap, ensuring that net metering will continue to be a key driver of solar adoption in California. The issue largely centered on jobs: Several commissioners spoke about the fact that the solar industry is creating desperately needed installation jobs in the state.
Pima cotton production on increase [Fresno Business Journal]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that California grown American-Pima cotton acreage and estimated production will be up significantly from 2011. Global demand and higher prices for quality Pima cotton are sited as primary reasons for the jump. American-Pima producers planted 274,000 acres in California this season, up 51 percent from last year. Production is estimated at 785,000 480-pound bales, up 69 percent from 2011. The average yield is estimated at 1,380 pounds per acre, up 143 pounds from just two years ago.
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/agriculture/1974-pima-cotton-production-on-increase
Farm stands launch annual Fruit Trail guide [Fresno Bee]
…Fresno County officials on Thursday kicked off the annual Fruit Trail, a guide to nearly 40 family farms, roadside stands and farmers markets. The guide that can be found online -- www.gofruittrail.com -- was launched nine years ago as a way to directly connect consumers with the region's bounty of fruits, nuts and agriculture-related festivals….Gigi Gibbs, Fresno County's director of tourism, estimates the Fruit Trail generates tens of thousands of visitors each year, including many foreign travelers….Farmers say consumers are growing increasingly interested in buying local and learning more about specific varieties of fruits, nuts and vegetables.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/05/24/2849796/farm-stands-launch-annual-fruit.html#storylink=misearch
Wet, cold weather about to storm into Valley [Fresno Bee]
…The National Weather Service says an abnormally cool low pressure system is moving into the central San Joaquin Valley for the start of the Memorial Day weekend.…Reaching the Valley by way of the west coast of Canada, this two-day low pressure system is expected to bring a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms from Fresno down to Hanford today and Saturday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Andersen.…In Yosemite, about one to four inches of snowfall is forecast, with the snow level at 6,000 feet, Andersen said. The peak of snowfall will be between Friday night and Saturday morning, when temperatures in the Sierra Nevada will be at their lowest.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/05/24/2849058/wet-cold-weather-about-to-storm.html
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