Climate change, global warming, and green house gas emissions are getting top billing these days. It is important that we be responsible stewards of the natural resources. We must develop natural resources in a manner that recognizes climate change and utilize these resources in a way that will reduce negative effects on the environment. While everyone has their own opinion regarding the seriousness of climate change, global warming, or green house gas emissions, the fact remains that legislators at both the state and federal level are taking action in response to these issues.

Unfortunately, there seems to be little understanding, or concern as to how to reduce green house gasses, or how the cost of implementing some of the proposed legislation will affect our local and national economies. In addition, a significant element of legislation being considered deals with reducing carbon dioxide emission (a green house gas) through capturing and storing it, notwithstanding the fact that we do not currently have a commercially viable technology for doing so.

In order for us to effectively address climate change we need to make sure legislators recognize their responsibility in passing legislation. Legislators must be willing to commit to provide the necessary funding for research and development that will result in commercially viable technologies to capture carbon dioxide and other green house gases. In addition they must also be required to commission the necessary studies to fully understand the economic impact that implementing legislation will have on our ability to be competitive in a global market place.

At the upcoming Benton REA annual meeting on February 9th we have scheduled special guest Kirk Johnson from Washington D.C. to address climate change and the politics involved. We hope you’ll make a special effort to attend, to learn more how you can be involved to make sure these efforts are successful and cost effective!!