Tensions are bubbling up at thirsty Arizona alfalfa farms as foreign firms exploit unregulated water
Matthew Hancock's family has used groundwater to grow forage crops here for more than six decades. But concerns about future water supplies from the valley's ancient aquifers, which hold groundwater supplies, are bubbling up in Wenden, a town of around 700 people where the Hancock family farms.
Why proposed rural groundwater control bills are bad
There has been a lot of talk recently about rural groundwater bills not getting a hearing at the Arizona Legislature. Over the years, proposed legislation has gone by many names, including “Groundwater Conservation Areas,” “Special Management Areas,” “Rural Management Areas,” and “Local Groundwater Stewardship Areas.” Regardless of the name, the concept is the same, and all are bad[...]
Time for Senate to act to put more tools in Arizona’s water toolbox
We must move with urgency to save our state from a manageable shortage that has metastasized into a deadly cancer due to spools of red tape and a federal government that sometimes seems like it wouldn’t care much if Arizona blew away on the wind.
Groups pushing local groundwater bill
Advocacy groups are making efforts to revive rural groundwater legislation that’s languished in the Legislature this session – the same fate it has suffered for several years running.
Keep failed, out-of-state energy interests out of Arizona
Out-of-state organizations are pushing for Arizona to adopt the same failed policies as California. I will work to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy at the national level that protects consumer choice, invests in reliable energy sources, and brings down costs for Arizonans.
Park Service balks at requirement to plan ahead for future shutdowns
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service is not interested in coming up with plans to let states pay to keep parks open should another government shutdown occur, a service official testified Thursday to a House subcommittee.
Officials, lawmakers call for greater investment in wildfire prevention
WASHINGTON – For every dollar the government spends preventing wildfire damage, it could save cash-strapped agencies like the Forest Service another $5 on fighting increasingly large fires, a Senate committee was told Tuesday.
Tusayan mayor criticizes Park Service for closing Grand Canyon, other parks
Tusayan Mayor Greg Bryan told House lawmakers Wednesday that closing Grand Canyon National Park has devastated his town’s economy, and he criticized federal government officials for not acting sooner to reopen it.
APS puts plans on hold as talk of deregulation heats up
Arizona Public Service is temporarily halting plans for more than $550 million in investments to secure its power supply after energy regulators opened up the possibility of competition in electric service.
Uranium cleanup on Navajo Nation complicated by scope, history of problem
For seven weeks this fall, workers and scientists labored from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., six days a week, digging up and hauling off thousands of cubic yards of uranium-tainted soil in Cove, Ariz., and sealing what remained.
Arizona Senate OKs states’ rights ballot measure
The Arizona Senate has reversed itself and approved a proposed ballot measure to declare that the state has sovereignty over the air, water and other natural resources within its boundaries. The proposed constitutional amendment failed on its initial Senate vote but was approved Monday on a 16-14 vote.