Vilsack Backs Perdue; Rural Electric on Elimination of Clean Power Plan

Tom Vilsack is backing Sonny Perdue to run the Department of Agriculture, the job Vilsack held for eight years under President Barack Obama.

Vilsack says “I have had the opportunity to work with Governor Perdue and know how committed he is to all of our farmers, ranchers and producers regardless of size or production method used to expand markets here and throughout the world.”

Vilsack is currently president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson says he welcomes the Trump administration’s commitment to “eliminating” the Clean Power Plan that was designed to limit power plant carbon emissions for the first time.

But the former seven-term Utah congressman also tells Agri-Pulse that he expects NRECA member co-ops to continue investing heavily in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Matheson points out he hopes the new administration will eliminate not only the CPP but many other federal regulations as well.