New Technology, Old Ideas Solve Texas Water, Resource Problems

From: Texas Farm Bureau
Published: Tue Mar 30 2010


The last couple of years, Texas ranchers and farmers have struggled under drought conditions. However, Texans are hoping for a productive spring and summer after a wet and snowy winter brought the drought to an end. Texas Farm Bureau Public Relations Director Gene Hall recently published a blog post on the Texas Farm Bureau’s Texas Agriculture Talks blog on this issue.

Hall writes,

"Compared to recent history, it’s been a relatively wet winter in Texas, with hopes that timely spring rainfall will continue to boost crops and refill lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These were all but dried up in the devastating drought of 2008 and 2009. Despite this year’s reprieve from Mother Nature, the safest thing is to anticipate that Texas water will continue to be short most of the time and in many places."

He goes on to talk about harvesting rainfall for drinking water, capturing wind for electrical power and the growing use of solar panels in home applications. While cultivating all of these national resources are important steps for the future, he cautions not to abandon traditional sources of energy:

"None of this is to say that we should abandon our traditional sources of energy. Fossil fuels—hopefully free from the regulatory insanity of cap and trade—are in our future for many decades to come. We should look for it, and drill for it anywhere we can, in an environmentally responsible way. This of course, we now have the technology to do. We must also forge ahead in developing biofuels, which will help alleviate our thirst for foreign oil and will benefit consumers, agriculture and rural Texas."

About The Texas Farm Bureau
The Texas Farm Bureau is committed to improving the lives of America’s farmers through advocacy, education and awareness. It is our goal to tell not only members, but the general public, about TFB's mission and commitment to providing a voice for farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and everyone interested in preserving and protecting this way of life. To read the full blog post by Gene Hall, visit the Texas Agriculture Talks blog at http://www.txfb.org/TxAgTalks/.
Company: Texas Farm Bureau
Contact Name: Mike Barnett
Contact Email: mbarnett@txfb.org
Contact Phone: 254-751-2244

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