Today’s quick hits, March 18, 2024

Bost vs. Bailey: As part of primary elections in Illinois on Tuesday, Republican voters in a downstate district will decide a contest of Trump acolytes: Rep. Mike Bost, seeking a sixth term in the U.S. House, and Darren Bailey, the GOP candidate for governor two years ago. (New York Times)

A billion tons of biomass: The United States could triple its production of biomass to more than 1 billion tons a year, enough to produce 60 billion gallons of low-carbon fuel annually while still meeting demand for food, feed, fiber, forest products, and export. (Energy Department)

Foresters and climate markets: The U.S. Forest Service said it would put $116 million into grants to help underserved and small-acreage owners of forestland to connect with climate markets; an additional $29 million is available to states to develop similar programs. (USDA)

Greater sage grouse protections: The Interior Department released a draft plan to protect the imperiled greater sage grouse, which has dropped in population by 80 percent since 1965, by limiting livestock grazing, mining, and oil and grass drilling in its habitat. (Washington Post)

Scheme for giant sheep: A Montana rancher pleaded guilty to charges of wildlife trafficking in a conspiracy that used cloned embryos to create “giant sheep hybrids” that would be offered to hunters, at a high price, as trophy animals. (The Associated Press)