Energy Bill. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

The Waxman-Markey energy bill barely passed in the House last week and Washington Congressman Doc Hastings is concerned about what impact that might have for ag producers in the northwest.

HASTINGS: I don’t think there is any question about that because rural America will probably be hit more because we have seen some figures that the price of gasoline will go up as much as .75 cents or more.

Hastings says this will not only impact exports but normal, daily issues.

HASTINGS: What we ship domestically is to all corners of the country but also just the simple fact of just getting to and from work because again we live in an agriculture community and we rely on individual transportation more than urban areas so yes, this is going to have a profound effect on us.

He also says that he believes there is a lot of confusion on this issue.

HASTINGS: Yes, I think there is some confusion because I don’t of anybody that does not want to have a clean, green environment but the proponents for example of legislation like this tend to look, I think, myopically at only strictly renewable resources like wind and solar. I’m in favor of an all of the above energy plan. I’m in favor of wind and solar but I’m also very much in favor of hydropower and I’m also in favor of nuclear power.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.