Articles by Spencer Chase

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) would be best served if it uses “do no harm” approach, Commission Scott O’Malia said in a speech to a group of lawyers.

An amendment that would provide additional funding to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) came up again today on Capitol Hill, in a Senate Finance Committee markup of bill to preserve the Highway Trust Fund. No action was taken on the measure.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) struck another blow in its seemingly endless battle with big oil companies for the American consumer’s fuel dollar.

A hearing Wednesday morning on credit availability in rural America turned into a discussion on whether or not the Farm Credit System (FCS) is still serving rural customers.

EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule had another day under congressional scrutiny Tuesday, but this time the embattled proposal had a partner in the limelight – a Groundwater Resource Management Directive proposed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

The House passed the Consumer Protection and End User Relief Act, a bill that authorizes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission through 2018, Tuesday afternoon in a bi-partisan 265-144 vote.

The House passed legislation Thursday that would make permanent a tax provision that allows farmers and other small businesses to immediately write off up to $500,000 in equipment purchases such as combines and large tractors rather than follow a depreciation schedule.

Despite dropping commodity prices, land values across the nation are holding steady after reaching record highs last year, according to national farm and ranch real estate company Farmers National Company (FNC)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have extended the public comment period for a proposed rule that defines the Waters of the U.S. that fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.