Biden Administration unveils $207 million financial commitment to boost domestic fertilizer and renewable energy projects

admin 2024年4月23日

Beginner

Business & Economy, Business & Economy - Beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Is agriculture significant to the economy of a country?
Is reducing energy expenses important for those involved in agricultural production?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

support /suh-PARWT/

[verb] – to provide assistance, encouragement, or resources to help someone or something achieve a goal
The community came together to support the local food bank during the holiday season.

agricultural /a-gruh-KUHL-chr-uhl/

[adjective] – related to farming or the cultivation of the soil for producing crops or raising animals
Agricultural practices have evolved over the years with advancements in technology and sustainable methods.

automated /AA-tuh-may-tuhd/

[adjective] – operated by largely automatic equipment, with minimal human intervention
The automated assembly line increased production efficiency by reducing manual labor.

energy-efficient /EN-er-jee-ih-FISH-uhnt/

[adjective] – using less energy to perform a task while maintaining the same level of effectiveness
The new appliances are energy-efficient, helping homeowners save on electricity bills.

promote /pruh-MOHT/

[verb] – to support or actively encourage the growth, development, or acceptance of something
The campaign aims to promote sustainable farming practices to protect the environment.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

The Biden administration recently committed $207 million to support fertilizer and renewable energy projects in the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding on January 22, 2024, to enhance competition among suppliers for American farmers, with the primary goal of reducing energy costs in agricultural production. Under the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), the USDA is allocating $50 million to fund seven projects in seven states, including the creation of a fully automated fertilizer facility in Nebraska, and the establishment of a new anaerobic digestion facility in North Carolina.

The USDA is distributing $157 million to 675 projects in 42 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with over $94 million from the Inflation Reduction Act. Projects include a solar array in Colorado, a solar system on a Pennsylvania soybean farm, and an energy-efficient refrigeration system at a South Dakota meat company. The goal is to help farmers reduce energy costs, increase revenue, and promote renewable energy. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack highlighted the benefits, including support for domestic fertilizer production, job creation, and energy cost savings for reinvestment in businesses and communities.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

The Biden administration committed $207 million to support fertilizer and renewable energy projects in the U.S.
The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) aims to fund projects in five states.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is distributing $157 million to 675 projects in 42 states.
The Inflation Reduction Act contributes over $94 million to the REAP projects.
One of the projects mentioned involves the creation of an automated fertilizer facility in Colorado.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

support

agricultural

automated

energy-efficient

promote

Teachers always ______ their students by offering help and answering questions.
The ______ fair showcased various crops, animals, and farming equipment.
An ______ coffee machine makes it easy for anyone to prepare a delicious cup of coffee.
The new appliances in the kitchen are ______, helping to reduce the monthly utility bill.
Schools often ______ healthy habits by encouraging students to eat fruits and vegetables.