carrot & stick

A CARROT to BP (British Petroleum) Amoco Oil for undertaking the world's largest solar power project, which will bring electricity to 150 isolated villages in the Philippines. BP Amoco and the Philippines signed the $48-million contract with the Spanish government, financiers of the endeavor, which is slated to begin in September. According to the plan, solar energy will power homes, schools, community centers, health clinics and irrigation and drinking water systems, improving the quality of life of nearly a half-million people.

A STICK to the USDA's Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), intended to provide assistance to farmers trying to implement environmentally sound farming practices. In theory, it's a fabulous program, but in reality, very little assistance is being doled out. Last year, four out of five farmers who applied for money were rejected due to "lack of funds." While Clinton had requested $325 million be allocated to EQIP, the program has never received more than $200 million a year. Rumor has it that Bush will cut it down to $174 million. Why aren't we surprised?

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