So I looked at the elemental reach talent for elemental shamans, and I noticed that it increases the range of our fire nova spell... So they can increase the range of a spell that pretty much is no use for us, but they refuse to change searing totem's range....FAIL.
1) There is still time for changes, it is beta. Just because it isn't in Patch 4.0.1 doesn't mean it wont be in Cataclysm
2) It increases the range of shocks which is good for movement.
Yes it sucks that Searing Totem is still 20 yd, 26 if you want to spend points in Totemic Reach (I wouldn't but some people might) but there are still reasons to take Elemental Reach.