The Interior Department has tapped into federal infrastructure dollars to allocate an additional $129 million to the proposed Sites Reservoir Project.
In total the federal government has committed $646 million to the $3 billion storage project. In exchange, Sites would support the Bureau of Reclamation’s water operations, such as supplying freshwater flows to sustain sensitive fish populations. California plans to award $874 million to Sites through Proposition 1 funding approved in 2014.
Last week the Sites Project Authority initiated the bidding process for constructing the reservoir and roads. Fritz Durst, who chairs the board of directors, called it a critical milestone as Sites progresses from planning to construction.
Meanwhile: The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority is celebrating $125 million in federal infrastructure funding for raising B.F. Sisk Dam to expand the reservoir.
Warren presses Bessent on policy positions ahead of hearing
Senate Finance Committee member Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is demanding answers from Trump’s selection for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, about how he plans to cut the U.S. budget deficit, preserve the independence of U.S. agencies and fund Trump’s tax cuts and tariff plans.
Bessent, an investor and hedge fund manager, hasn’t had a high-profile career in public office, Warren said in a 31-page letter with 180 questions. So, Warren is requesting clarification on Bessent’s policy positions before the panel votes on his confirmation. A hearing is scheduled Thursday.
The Massachusetts senator said the answers “will be critical to assessing how you plan to lead the Treasury Department.”
Rice producers: Dominican Republic is violating trade commitments
U.S. rice producers are accusing the Dominican Republic of violating its commitments under a regional free trade agreement.
President Luis Abinader signed a decree last month to protect the domestic rice industry. Its measures establish a tariff-rate quota for U.S. rice imports that will allow 23,300 metric tons to enter each year duty free. Any additional imports will face a 99% tariff.
Under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, the country was expected to fully open its market to U.S. rice on Jan. 1 after a 17-year tariff and quota phase-out period. “It is frustrating to see yet another country slide back on its commitments and negatively impact U.S. rice exporters,” said Bobby Hanks, chair of the USA Rice international trade policy committee.
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The Dominican Republic is self-sufficient in rice but faces high production costs. UN Comtrade data show the U.S. exported more than $32 million of rice in 2023, when it had a quota of 18,080 metric tons.
Environmental research group pushes Senate to oppose Kennedy
An environmental research group is urging the Senate to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, over concerns he could “wreak havoc” on U.S. agriculture.
The Breakthrough Institute will send a letter today to Senate leaders John Thune, R-S.D., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urging them to oppose Kennedy’s nomination. Specifically, the group takes issue with Kennedy’s critical stance on pesticides and genetically modified crops.
At the helm of HHS, Kennedy would have little authority to regulate pesticides. Still, the group writes that he could more strictly enforce residue limits, impose testing requirements or pressure EPA to deny new pesticide registrations.
Additionally, the group is concerned Kennedy could prioritize initiatives like expanded safety assessments that slow biotechnology innovation or curb the use of existing genetically modified crops and livestock.
“Given his stated vision for the future of food and farming, placing Mr. Kennedy at the head of HHS could wreak havoc on U.S. agriculture,” the group says in a letter. “By hamstringing technological advances and crucial inputs key to the maintenance of U.S. agricultural abundance and global competitiveness, he will make life harder for agricultural producers, decrease food production and increase food prices for American consumers.”
State of play: The Senate will begin confirmation hearings this week for several of incoming President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees. Kennedy’s hearing has not been set yet, but the nominee spent last week meeting with both Republican and Democratic senators.
Final word: “I’m encouraged that Governor Newsom heard our calls to take action on the L.A. wildfires in a special session.” — State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, responding to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $2.5 billion funding proposal for wildfire recovery. Jones, however, chastized Newsom for “lumping” it into a session on building a Trump resistance legal fund.
