091409a by Elisha

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MIRROR-SUN LYONS, Nebraska

Thursday, August 27,2009 WEEKLY 735 25.05 $5.5 2

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Health Care Debate is hot in August CFRA guest opinion

August -- A time for bar- this month. You can atte~d becues, corn on the cob, and one of their meetingsand urge Congressional visits. them to pass a bill in SeptemWait, Congressional vis: ber that includes provisions to its? That's right! Every helpruralAmericans.Reform vear. members of Conmess should offer more affordable go on vacahealth care options to help tion in August and visit family farmwith folks in ers, ranchers, their states. entrepreneurs, This summer, and smallbusiness owners health care is the hottest isovercomehigh sue faced by health insurance costs. It Congress. Rural should also provide incenAmericans know that our tives to attract and lceep medcurrent health care system ical providers is not workin our rural By Steph Lusen. ing for our Rural Policy Organizer for the Rural communities. communities. Ornanizine .. - and Outreach R o- m Reform should And rural fix payments people know we need to fix for Medicareand other public the system. plans so that they fairly comHealth care reform needs pensate rural hospitals and to work for family fanners, doctors, and it should expand ranchers, small business prevention programs that owners, and entrepreneurs. provide incentivesto improve Reform must reintroduce health and fitness. competition in the health To find out whether your insurance market and should Senators or Representative bring us lower, more afford- is holding a meeting near able costs, more choices, and you, call their district office coverage rural America can or watch for newspaper ancount on. nouncements. Your representatives are For more information visit: holding town hall meetings www.cfra.org.

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NEWS WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CREIGHTON, NE Circulation = 1310

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ENTER for RURAL AFFAIRS

Values. Worth. Action.

'Sign-up Now For The CSP'

By Elisha Greeley Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Centerfor Rural Anairs The U.S. Department of Agriculture began accepting sign-ups for the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) on Aug. 10. The sign-up is now continuous, so farmers and ranchers can begin the paperwork anytime. However, USDA announced a Sept. 30 deadline for those who want to be considered for ranking in this fiscal year. Applications can be filed at a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Enrollment for the new CSP is nationwide and the program is not limited to certain watersheds. The CSP rewards farmers for maintaining existing conservation practices and for adopting additional practices on cropland, grassland, improved pasture, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland and tribal lands. A supplemental payment will also be made for those willing to adopt resource conserving crop rotations. This program pays producers for clean water, better soil management, improved habitat, energy efficiency, and other natural re-source benefits. The Center for Rural Affairs has a CSP fact sheet available on its Web site, www.cfra.org, that lists 10 easy steps for farmers to follow in order to participate in the program. The list includes downloadable checklists and a contract application form. The Center is also encouraging farmers, ranchers and others to call the Center for Rural Affairs' Farm Bill Helpline to learn more about the program and application process as well as to share information on any barriers farmers or ranchers encounter during the sign-up. Producers can call (402) 687-2100 and ask for the Farm Rill Helpline or send an e-mail to tracib@ cfra.org. -. .--

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Dysart Reporter Dysart,lA Circ. 703 From Page:

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Center for Rural Affairs

Renewabh Energy and Economk Potential "

new, permanent operaRenewable Energy and tional (post-construction) Economic Potential jobs heated. :' Wind Rich Great Plains The state-by-state proCould Provide Energy for jections were prepared in conjunction with the Lab: Nation Today the Center for oratory's report 20% Wind Rural Affairs released an by 2030, but never for' analysis on the economic mally published. Those I potential of wind energy projections form the basis development entitled, for the state facts sheets ; Renewable Energy and included in the Center for Economic Potential in Rural Affairs' report. The , Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska projections are available and South Dakota. The from the National Renew' report examines economic able Energy Laboratory or , impact, job creation and the Center for Rural wind resources in Iowa, Affairs. i Kansas, Nebraska and According to Crabtree, South Dakota. whether or not the poten''There is no legislation tial for wind energy to I in Congress with greater revitalize the rural areas of potential to create jobs these four states is realL and directly impact rural ized depends in large meaeconomic development sure on the fate of federal and revitalization in the renewable energy legislaMidwest and Great tion, especially in the Plains," said John Crab- United States Senate. tree of the Center for There, the American Rural Affairs. Clean Energy Leadership Expanding production Act has languished after of renewable electricity to passage out of the Senate , 20% of the nation's elec- Energy and Natural trical generation has the Resources Committee potential to create a large after efforts to dilute the number of new jobs in the bill in committee met with rural Midwest and Great mixed results. Plains, according to "There is likely to be an unpublished analyses from effort to raise the standard the US Department of when the American Clean Energy's National Renew- Energy Leadership Act able Energy Laboratory. comes before the full Sen= J ~ h eanalysis projects that ate, and some will Kansas would gain nearly describe it as an environ3,100 long-term jobs in mental measure. But to operations and mainte- rural people in Iowa, nance of wind farms, Kansas, Nebraska and Nebraska over 3,500 jobs, South Dakota, it is South Dakota over 3,900 unprecedented once-in-ajobs and Iowa over 9,000 lifetime federal legislation jobs. An even higher num- to create genuine economber of medium-term jobs, ic opportunity and a better averaging one year in future in their communiduration, would be mated ties," said Crabtree. - jobs related to manufacturing, site preparation The Act would facilitate and turbine construction. , development of a national Nationally, the analysis interstate electric transprojects that reaching 20% mission grid to move elecof electrical generation tricity from areas that from wind would result in have the resources for 1.75 million full-time jobs renewable production to during wind turbine con- m a s with high demand. It struction and 1.6 million would be tailor-made for

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moving wind from the wind rich Great Plains to the nation's population centers. The costs of developing the grid would be shared among all beneficiaries, including both electricity producers and consumers. The bill also includes a critically important Renewable Electricity Standard. It would ostensibly require that 12 percent of the nation's electric generation come from renewable sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, new hydroelectric, biomass and landfill generation, by the year 2021. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study, Comparative Analysis of Three Proposed Federal Renewable Electricity Standards, concludes, however, that the legislation would effectively require renewable production of less than 10 percent of nation's electricity by the year 2021. That is less renewable electricity production t h 6 the sfudy projects in its baseline, which assumes that Congress takes no action to promote renewable production of electricity. "The renewable electricity standard is important, but it is crucial that the standard that came out of the Senate Energy Committee be strengthened on the floor of the Senate in order for the rural Midwest and Great Plains to realize the fullest economic potential of wind energy development," Crabtree added. A full copy of the report can be viewed and downloaded at: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/Re newable-Energy-and-Economic-PotentiaLpdf

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BLOOMFIELD, Nebraska

Thursday, August 27,2009 WEEKLY 1405 35.85 sq. inches $4.2 6

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Wind Rich Great Plains Could Provide Energy for Nation LYONS - Today the Center for Ru; g l Affairs released an analysis on the economic potential of wind energy development entitled. Renewable Energy and Economic Potential in lowa. Kansar. Nebrasku and South Dakota.

The report examincs economic impact, job creation and wind resources in lowa. Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. "There is no legislation in Congress with greater potential to create jobs and directly impact rural economic development and revitalization in the Midwest and Great Plains," sadib-b; &g of thesenter for Rural Affairs. Expanding production of renewable electricity to 20 percent of the nation's electrical generation has the potential to create a large numba of new jobs in the rural Midwest and Great Plains, according to unpublished analyses from the IJS Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The analysis projects that Kansas would gain near1y 3,100 long-term jobs in operations and maintenance of wind farms, Nebraska over 3,500 jobs, South Dakota over 3,900 jobs and lowa over 9,000 jobs. An even higher number of medium-term jobs, averaging one year in duration. would be created - jobs related to manufacturing, site preparation and turbine construction. Nationally, the analysis projects that reaching 20 percent of electrical generation fiom wind would tesult in 1.75 million full-time jobs during wind tur-

bine consmction and 1.6 million new, permanent operational (postconstruction)jobs creatcd. The state-by-state projections were prepared in conjunction with the Laboratory's report 20 Percent Wind by 2030, but never formally published. Those projections form the basis for the state facts sheets included in t h e m fpy Rural Affairs' report. The projections are available from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory or the m t a for Rural Affairs. According to Crabtree, whether or not the potential for wind energy to revitalize the rural areas of these four states is realized depends in large measure on the fate of federal renewable energy legislation, especially in the United States Senate. There, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act

has languished after passage out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee after efforts to dilute the bill in committee met with mixcd results. "There is likely to be an effort to raise the standard when the American Clean Energy Leadership Act comes beforc the full Senate, and some will describe it as an environmental measure. But to rural people in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota, it is unprecedented once-in-a-lifetime federal legislation to create genuine eco-' nomic opportunity and a better future in their communities," said Crabtree. The Act would facilitate development of a national interstate electric hansmission grid to move electricity fiom areas that have the resources for

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renewable production to areas with high demand. It would be tailor-made for moving wind from the wind rich Great Plains to the nation's population centers. The costs of developing the grid would be shared among all beneficiaries, including both electricity producers and consumers. The bill also includes a critically important Renewable Electricity Standard. It would ostensibly require that 12 percent of the nation's electric generation come From renewable sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, new hydroelectric, biomass and landfill generation, by the year 202 1. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study, Comparative Analysix of Three Proposed Federal Renewable Electricity Standarh, concludes,

however, that the legislation would effectively require reizwable production of less than 10 p e n t of nabon's electricity by the year 202 1. That is less renewable electricity production than the study projects in its baseline, which assumes that Congress taka no action to promote renewable production of electricity. ''The renewable electricity standard is important, but it is crucial that the standard that came out of the Senate Energy Committee be strengthened on the floor of the Senate in order for the rural Midwest and Great Plains to realize the fullest economic potential of wind energy development," Crabtree added.

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NEWS-BLADE BRIDGEPORT, Nebraska

Wednesday, August 26,2009 WEEKLY 1695 21.69 $3.85 12

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CSP Sign Up Began August 10 Center for Rural Affair8 Of fers Farm Bill Help Line to Assist Prodt~cers Lyons, N E August 10,2009 was the first day to sign up for tlie Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with the first sign up period cutoff scheduled for September 30,2009. The Conservation Stewardship Program is a voluntary stewardship incentives program designed to reward farmers, ranchers, and forestly producers to maintain existing conservation practices and for adoption of advanced conservation systems that provide environmental sewices benefiting the country as a whole. This program pays producers for clean water, better soil management, improved habitat. energy efficiency, and other natural resource benefits. Traci Bruckner. with the-Jgfor Rural Affairs is encouraging farmers, ranchers and others to call the &rid Affairs' Farm Bill Helpline to learn more about the program and application process. "There are some initial steps farmers and ranchers interested in applying for the pro-

gram need to do, such as filling out the self-screening checklist. Tlirough our Helpline we can assist them with that process." USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CSP. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland. prairie, improved pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland-a new land use for the program-and agricultural lalid under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at roughly thirteen thousand acres for each fiscal year nationwide. "Thesenter for Rural Affairs has a long history of assisting fanlily farmers and ranchers to access new conservation programs," Bruckner added. "Through our helpline you will get to speak to a real person who is kriowledgeable about the program rules to help you understand how to participate in the program ." Producers can call (402) 687-2 100 and ask for the F a n Bill Helpline or send an email to tracib@cfra.org. For a CSP fact sheet visit: http://www.cfra.org/csp-ten-

steps

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BRIDGEPORT, Nebraska

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Wednesday, ~ u g u s 26,2009 t WEEKLY 1695 20.00 sq. inches $3.85 3 -.

BECA Grant Deadline Quickly Approaching September 25 is last day tn

~PP& The deadline to apply for a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grant is September 25, 2009. The program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. For both the BECA and Value Added Act (VAA) grants, there is a combined total of one million dollars available. The grant program allows the communities most in need of help to access up to $75,000 to stimulate locat economies and build the 2 1" century skills they need to prosper. Grants can be used for education and technical support for small business development or to facilitate small business transfers. build leadership, retain and attract youth, or retain intergenerational transfer of wealth, build community endowments, and attract new residents. Grants will be provided to two or more towns or counties that collaborate on a BECA project, and at least one of the collaborating

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communities must demonstrate chronic economic distress (e.g. above average unemployment, below avcrage per capita income or severe historical population loss). Planning grants are also available for up to $5,000. The purpose of these grants are to build coalition among the communities who are partnering to develop a project. "The Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act grant is a wonderful resource for communities to utilize," says Stephanie Fritz, Rural Community Development Specialist at the Center for Rural AfJ@. "This opporhrnity will help communities bind together to enhance their quality of life and help them to continue to thrive." For more information on the BECA Grant and how to apP~Y, visit: www.ruralnebraska,info. Or contact Stephanie Fritz at (402) 270-1070, or stephanief@cfra.org. For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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RECORD

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CHADRON, Nebraska

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Wednesday, August 26,2009 WEEKLY 2673 18.10 sq. inches $8.85 4

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Rural health care workforce an overlooked issue in debate By Jan Bailey

Rural America faces a critical shortage of primary care providers, the health care professionals that provide the vast majority of personal, day-to-day health carc needs. This shortage jeopardizes the nation's ability to provide necessary medical and health carc needs for rural people. Primary care professionals not only provide necessary medical services, but also offer health promotion and chronic disease prevention. With rural health education resources lacking and rural areas suffcr-

ing higher rates of chronic diseases and conditions, health promotion and disease prevention are critical long-term investmcnts for rural communities. The primary care workforce is composed primarily of physicians, but other professionals such as nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives play an important role in the rural workforce. No one type of provider can resolve the rural work l'orce shortage. but taking steps to enhance team care and increasing the number of professionals in rural areas

will address health care availability for rural residents. Most of the health care reform debate has focused on coverage, only one side of the health care coin. Expanding coverage may ultimately exacerbate access problems and lead to furthcr inequities (especially in rurd areas). Coverage does not equal access. It is important for any reform legislation to dcvclop a morc accessible, understandable and affordable systcm for all Americans.

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TIMES-HERALD ALLIANCE, Nebraska

Neb. Dekgatiun Urged To Pass Health-Care R e f m

Wednesday, September 9, 2009mG7& DAILY , 3125 9.60 sq. inches

$6.9 B1

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of U.S. .Sen. I3en Nclson's Iincoln office, urging him and others mernixrs of the state's congressional delegation to pa,%.a refonn Bill. -rial by Nelson, a Denwrat, is contlng molt p-m on sideml a possible swing vote makers.' On Tuesday, AARF' on the health mre rr.krm bill Nebraska and four other that Congrrss is cunsidering. ' Nelson said over the weekups including the Center RwalAfEiirsdliedh6rcmt end thc only way a publicplan shouid be (SeeREFOAM on page 2) insur~mce includrxl is as a last resort. if' privatc insurers fd to i n c m competition and restrain costs.

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NEWS CREIGHTON, Nebraska

Wednesday, August 26,2009 WEEKLY 1310 34.68 sq. inches $4.3

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By Rhea Landholm When I took this job, I made a sacrifice. In order to have my dream job, 1 had to give up employer-paid health insurance. I felt it was worth it. After all, how much could health insurance cost? I found out quickly that it was more than I could afford. 1 had to crunch my expenses and finally broke down and got health insurance a couple months ago. The problem is, I can't afford the fancy insurance, so I still must pay l'or all my doctor visits and medications. (also have a $10,000 deductible. So, if I ever get sick I am pretty much out of luck. Arc: you in the same boet? In Nebraska, we may be feeling the crisis more than our neighbors on the east and west coasts. Rural America has higher rates of uninsured adults under 65, with 24 percent of rural adults uninsured compared to 22 percent in urban areas. In Knox County, 18 percent of adults under 65 are uninsured. so we are not immunc. Across America, citizens are attending town hall meetings on health care. Evcry night on television, you see images of people crying and yelling at senators and representatives. At many of these meetings, there is standing room only and people are turned away at the door. No other subject in the history of the United States has had this sort of response. So what do you think? Should we keep going the direction we are going? Or should there be reform? President Obarna promised health care reform when he was elected. Now that he has actually proposed a bill, many are up in arms. So is his solution the right one? 'The W e r for Rural Affairs recently polled 586 small businesses in six states. including 103 in Nebraska. Researchers found that 87 percent of Ncbraska small business owners want the choice of a public health insurance plan. More than 71 out of 103 business owners said they were willing to contribute financially to get quality, affordable health coverage for their business. And 82 percent of Nebraska business owners said they want the government to play a stronger role in making health care work. America's Affordable Health Choices Act, passed by committees in the House of Representatives introduces a public health option to increase leverage, drive down costs and keep insurers honest. Therc are.tax ctedits offeced to makc coverage affordable for small businesses, and reform that should end discriminatory rating practices that put small businesses at a disadvantagc. With so much other stress. do rural Americans really need to worry about whether or not their health insurance will cover sickness or accidents? I don't think so. I support reform so that small business owners, entrepreneurs and family farmers and ranchers have the option of a public plan. Health insurance companies are out of control and this may be a solution. ...

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HITCHCOCK CO. NEWS TRENTON, Nebraska

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Thursday, August 27,2009

WEEKLY 970 12.43

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August REAP Office Hours

Der~a~ y c kccritral , aild southwest Neblaska Business Specialist with the Ccnter for Rural Affairs' Rural Enterprise Assistance&will hold officc hours in McCook on August 28th. Hours will be 10:OO a.m. until 2:45 p.m. McCook Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) will handle the appointments; (308) 345-1200. MEDC office is located at 301 Norris Avenue, Suite 200. The Center for R U f a h . ., x 't' (REAP) and its services arc available to rural communities across Nebraska. BE&P offers technical assistance. educational and networking opprtunities, and a loan program for small 'businesses. BEBP is designed to assist all types of small businesses, including businesses with 5 or fewer employees. self-employed full-time, parttime, home-based, farm-based, start-up, and store-front businesses. BEBP has six regionally based Business Specialists across Nebraska. These Busincss Spccialists can pet involved in assisting entrepreneurs at various stages of their business progress. MEDC is pleased to partner with REAP in order to offer an expanded list of services to businesses of all sizes.

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MIDLANDS BUSINESS JRNL FRIDAY WEEKLY OMAHA, NE Circulabon = 5000

09/04/2009

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Omaha Products Show Summit Seminars Presented by The Center for Rural Affairs

11:30 AM - 1230 PM - "HlN1 Prevention and Facility Disinfect~on"presented by Paul Kaup from the Betco Corporation and assisted by the Egan Supply Company. 11:30 AM 12:30 PM -"Laser Cutting Versus Water Jet Cutting" presented by Mazak and Flow and Gladwin Machinery. 12:45 PM -1:45 PM - "Advanced Charger Technology -Learn the Advantages and Differences Between Convent~onal,Opportunity Charging, and Fast Charging - and How They Can Save You Money" presented by Jim Perkins of Hawker Batteries and Chargers and Tim Heesacker of NMC Material Handling. 12:45 PM -1:45 PM - "Industrial and Commercial Energy Savings Opportunities and Technologies" presented by Brenden Fritz from Northwest Electric. 2 0 0 PM 2:45 PM -Reducing the documentation bottleneck with "3DVIA Composer". Learn how your company can create assembly manuals, install instructions, servicemanuals and more from existing 3D CAD data presented by Marty McKewon and Todd Blacksher from Tridaq. 2:00PM - 2:45 PM - "Smart and Smarter Cameras -Application Scope" presented by Brad Quist from PPT Vision and the Braas Company. 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM -"Government Contracts- Information regarding NBDC FTAC program which Offers Free CounselingServices forAssistingBusiness in Working With Government" from the Nebraska Business Development Center. presented by Andy Alexander -

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Xhursday. Segtemberli!

the GS Small Business Ldmi~strationa ~ d 1 b O AM 1230 PM - "What' i What Can We do For Your Business!" presented by Barbara Foster from the US Small

Business Administration. 11:30 AM -1230 PM - "What's New at Prudential" presented by Maggie Wilch and Bill Coutts from Prudential. 42:45 PM -1:45 PM - "Advanced Charger Technology - Learn the Advantagev and = Differences Between Conventional, Opportunity Charging, - and F a ~Charging t and How - They Can Save You Money!" presented by Jim Perkins of Hawker Batteries and Chargers and Tim Heesacker of NMC Material Handling. 12:45 PM -1:45 PM -"Design automation wlth power2 Design". See how your engineering staff can become 25 to 50%more productive and devote more time for creative engineering , = solutions to enhance your company's product line with Power2 Design presented by Marty = McKewon and Todd Blacksher from Tridaq. 1 ' 2:00 PM - 2 4 5 PM L a s e r Cutting Versus Water Jet Cutting" presented by Mazak and ;I 1 hinery. -4

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NEWS ORCHARD, Nebraska

c Copyight 2009 iAll

Wednesday, August 26,2009

WEEKLY 654 45.41 $3.25 1

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Renewable Energy and Economic Potential From Wind Rich Great Plains Today the senter for Rural

f & ~ released an analysis on the economic potential of wind energy development entitled, Renewable Energy ad,cConOmiCpotenria, ifl low~a.Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The report examines economic impact, job creation and wind resources in Iowa, Kansas. Nebraska and South Dakota. "There is no legislation in Congress with greater potential to create jobs and directly impact rural economic development and revitalization in the Midwest and Great Plains." s a i d & h C d m e o f the (&&djd3Expanding production of renewable electricity to 20% of the nation's electrical generation has the potential to create a large number of new jobs in the rural Midwest and Greal Plains. according to unpublished analyses from the US Department o f Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The analysis projects that Kansas would gain nearly 3,100 long-term jobs in operations and maintenance of wind fatms. Nebraska over 3,500 jobs, South Dakota over 3.900 jobs and lowa over 9,000 jobs. An even higher number o f medium-term jobs, averaging one year in duration, would be created -jobs related to manufacturing, site preparation and turbine construction. . Nationally, the analysis projects that reaching 20% o f electrical generation from wind would result in 1.75 million full-time jobs during wind turbine construction and 1.6 million new. permanent opera-

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(post-CO~S~I'UC~~O~) jobs sources forl'WIewable production to areas with high demand. It would The state-by-state projections be tailor-made for moving wind Were prepared in conjunction with from lhe rich Great Plains to the Laboratory's rcport 20% Wind the hation's ~ o ~ u l a t i ocenters. n The by 2030, but never formally pubdeveloping lhe grid would lished. Those projections form the be all basis for the state facts sheets inincluding both electric~typroducers and consumers. cluded in the Center for Rural AfThe bill also includes a critically fairs' report. The projections are available from the National Ke- important Renewable Electricity newable Energy Laboratory or the Standard. It would ostensibly require that 12 percent o f the nation's Senter for !sr.aAifelectric generation come from reto Crabtree, or Accurding not the potential for windwhether energy newable sources, including wind, to revitalize the rural areas o f these solar. geothermal, new hydroelecfour states is realized depends in tric, biomass and landfill generaby the year 202 1. large measure on thc fate o f federal tion. A renewable energy legislation, especially in the United States Senate. study- ('Omn~ur.trllvcJ There. the American & n e r ~ Ana!)'.risof Three Fedc.rLeadership Act has languished after E1ecrrici!rlStuntl(lrds. ''la' lhc legtspassage out of the Senate Energy c0nc1udes9 and Natural Resources Committee lation effectively than after efforts to dilute the bill in renewable production of less committee met with mixed results. lopercent electricity by "l-here islikely to be an effort to the year 202 1. That is less rcnewathe raise the standard when the Ameri- bleelectricity production lhan can Clean Enerly Leadershrp Act projects in its whit Ihat Congress takes no comes before the full Senate, and promote renewable prosome will describe it as an environmental measure. But to rural duction of electricity. renewable people in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska dard is imp0rtan1* but it is crucial and South Dakota. it is unprecedented once-in-a-lifetime federal that the that Out of legislation to create genuine ecoSenate Energy COnlmittec be nomic opportunity and a better fu- sfmngyfhened On the tlOt~r of the ture in their comnlunities," said Senate in order for the rural Midwest and Great Plains to realire the Crabtree. The Act would facilitate devel- fullest economic potential of' wind opment of a national interstate elec- e"rgY development." Cmbtree tric transmission grid to move elec- added. tricity from areas that have the re*IThe

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