House Farm Bill Boosts Clean Energy Investments
NEWS RELEASE July 27, 2007 | CONTACT:
John Moore, Senior Attorney, 312-339-0926
Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate, 608-442-6998
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House Farm Bill Boosts Clean Energy Investments
The Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today increases clean energy investments, although stronger commitments are necessary to achieve the full range of economic, energy security and environmental benefits for the entire country.
The House bill provides $2.4 billion over five years for clean energy incentives for wind power, advanced biofuels, solar power, energy efficiency, and new energy crops for clean power and fuels.
"Chairman Peterson and the House Leadership deserve much credit for solving the funding shortfall that imperiled the energy programs in the Farm Bill," said John Moore, Senior Attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Center. "These programs are good for all Americans - they strengthen our energy security, cut pollution, fight global warming, and help our economy."
The House Farm Bill improves existing energy programs and creates several new programs. Key programs include:
- The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - expands and improves the Farm Bill's successful Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency incentives for locally-owned wind power, energy efficiency, solar energy, and other clean energy projects.
- Biorefinery expansion - critical to jumpstart advanced biofuels production.
- Biomass Research and Development - new research investments for advanced crop-based fuel and power expansion.
- Biomass energy reserve - will catalyze sustainable development of energy crops to help meet our nation's fuel needs and reduce reliance on imported oil.
However, some key programs remain completely unfunded or underfunded. For example the Section 9005 energy technical assistance program, which could save farmers over a billion dollars in energy costs, is completely unfunded. Other programs, such as REAP, require more funding to realize their potential for the country.
While the $2.4 billion in the House Farm Bill is a good beginning, a number of organizations and experts have called on Congress to commit at least $5 billion over five years to clean energy development in the Farm Bill. Even that level represents a small fraction of total Farm Bill spending over five years.
"We now urge the Senate to pass a Farm Bill with strong, fully funded clean energy programs, said Andy Olsen, ELPC Senior Policy Advocate. "With sufficient funding, the Farm Bill offers a path to a stronger, more diverse energy future."
For additional information go to www.farmenergy.org
Other resources:
House Farm Bill Includes Production Fee For '98-99 Oil Leases explains the new funding source for the Energy Title.
www.21stcenturyag.org , a bipartisan report endorsed by former Senators Bob Dole (R-KS) and Tom Daschle (D-SD) recommends, among other things, $500 million a year for REAP.
www.25x25.org ,a broad agriculture-led alliance recommends $250 million a year for REAP.
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