As the largest source of groundwater in the United States, the Ogallala supports crucial agricultural activities across eight states. With increasing pressures from climate change and overuse, sustainable management practices are becoming essential to preserve this vital resource for future generations.

The EPA’s recent climate study underscores the significant role that greenhouse gases play in driving climate change and highlights the urgent need for action.  

A long-standing battle over 9,500 acres of land in Oklahoma, home to the USDA’s Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, is heating up as GOP Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) secures a provision in the farm bill to block the land transfer to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. This provision could influence the future of agricultural research and tribal land claims, making it a critical issue for those in the drilling and agriculture industries.

The Inflation Reduction Act represents a historic investment in the United States' clean energy future. For the drilling industry, it offers numerous opportunities to engage in renewable energy projects, improve infrastructure resilience, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

The USDA Farm Bill shapes agricultural policy, influencing water well, geotechnical, and geothermal drilling sectors through programs that support conservation, rural development, and renewable energy. With the upcoming expiration on September 30, 2024, we must emphasize the importance of timely reauthorization for continued progress.

In this episode of The Driller Newscast, we cover back-to-school safety, tribal water rights, the USDA Farm Bill, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Get ready for a new season with insights on safety, congressional actions, and crucial industry updates.

The hearing focused on securing water rights for indigenous tribes