Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The following is a statement by Howard Learner, ELPC’s executive director, following the hearing today of the Senate Ag Committee on how climate legislation affects agriculture.
We agree with the USDA’s recent study showing that actions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution can produce long-term gains for farmers. It’s time for strong energy and climate legislation that will boost farm income and reduce the risk of global warming.
The costs of inaction are high—farmers and agricultural industries are particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and pests that will result from unchecked climate change. Federal climate solutions and clean energy legislation can help farmers and foresters tap into growing markets in carbon offsets, renewable energy generation, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency savings.
The USDA study, among others, shows that minimal short-term costs to farmers will soon be outpaced by significant long-term gains in income, job creation, and other rural development opportunities.
With a strong climate bill, including new investments in farm-based energy and conservation, the agricultural community can help lead efforts to protect and improve our health and environment while fueling our clean energy economy.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
On July 7, the US Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to boost funding for farm energy programs that will create more clean energy and new income for rural Americans.
The committee voted to increase fiscal year 2010 funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) from $60 million to $128 million. The REAP program helps farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses build their own clean energy projects.
The committee also voted to increase funding for the Biorefinery Assistance program, by $17 million.
Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl, Chair of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, was a key supporter of the funding increase. “Our nation faces historic challenges for our economy, our environment and our energy security,” Kohl said. “Farmers in Wisconsin and across the nation have much at stake and want to be part of the solution. These funds will help lead the way toward greener energy independence.”
Read ELPC’s press release here
Learn more about farm energy programs at FarmEnergy.org
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Experts from 25x’25, the National Wildlife Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Environmental Law and Policy Center today pushed Congress to support economic recovery investments in USDA renewable energy programs, as well as renewable energy bonds and tax credits to revive the economy and help America’s farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses.
Investing in agriculture-based clean energy development will diversify the nation’s energy supply, create jobs, and revitalize America’s rural economy, according to a proposal signed by more than 30 business, agriculture, energy and environmental groups. The groups are asking Congress to provide strong funding for the construction and development of advanced biofuel refineries, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy projects, energy efficiency, biomass research, and the development of next generation feedstocks. These programs could help create and maintain thousands of jobs in the clean energy technology fields.
The coalition’s proposals are listed in this letter
Monday, December 15, 2008
On Monday the Environmental Law and Policy Center and 25x’25 Alliance presented a package of recommendations to bolster the economy and create jobs to Congress and the incoming Obama Administration. Their proposal would accelerate the development of and markets for, wind and solar power, advanced biofuels production, biomass power and geothermal energy as a means to stimulate the economy. The Federal Farm Bill’s Energy Title would be a primary focus along with related tax credits.
The recommendations focus on investing in programs that are currently under funded such as the Rural Energy for America Program that will put people back to work while improving environmental quality. These programs are green job generators and long-term growth creators because they require skilled labor for manufacturing components, construction and operation.
John Moore, Senior Attorney at ELPC, urged Congress to make strong, farm-based clean energy development programs part of the economic recovery package. “Programs that support clean energy development are in high demand, they create high-paying jobs and they are good for the environment.”
A complete list of ELPC’s recommendations is available here
Read coverage of the clean energy proposal here
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Friday, December 12, 2008
ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocate Andy Olsen spoke with Colorado farm radio host Brian Allmer about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP grants and loan guarantees help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses with money-saving projects like generating clean energy through wind or solar power or making their operations more energy efficient. These projects reduce pollution and create new income in rural communities. Andy explains that now is the time for farmers to start planning their clean energy projects.
Monday, October 13, 2008
On October 8th and 9th, a group of national farm energy leaders gathered at ELPC’s headquarters to discuss implementing the Farm Bill’s Energy Title. The dynamic meeting featured presentations by experts who worked through details to set priorities and make the most of these new clean energy programs. USDA and Department of Energy officials attended the conference and shared the latest policy and clean energy development news with our colleagues.
Visit www.farmenergy.org to learn more about the Farm Bill’s clean energy programs.
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Friday, September 5, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Farmers and rural residents can discover more about the new Farm Bill’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) as part of the Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Workshop to be held Sept. 12, at the Sawmill Creek Resort and Conference Center, 400 Sawmill Creek Drive, Huron, Ohio.
REAP provides funding to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to help finance the installation of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. Grants and loan guarantees are available for businesses interested in installing an on-site renewable energy generation system using wind, solar, biomass and/or geothermal technology. Funding is also available to install energy efficiency improvements designed to reduce energy use and better control energy costs.
The half-day workshop features keynote addresses from the USDA-Rural Development Undersecretary Tom Dorr and Ohio Ninth District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. Presentations from USDA, the Ohio Energy Office and others will help participants start the research, planning and grant application process for the upcoming 2009 program year.
The Clean Energy Funding Opportunities Workshop is sponsored by the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), USDA-Rural Development, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio Farmers Union.
Contact CIFT at www.cift.eisc.org for registration and more information. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but seating is limited.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
With the Congressional override of President’s veto of (most of) the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the new Farm Bill is now law. In clean energy matters this Farm Bill builds upon the first-ever Energy Title of the 2002 Farm Bill, providing new programs and a stronger federal commitment to farm-based energy. Learn more at FarmEnergy.org.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
ELPC believes in the potential of rural America to develop and produce clean, renewable energy. Our Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development Initiative focuses on clean energy diversification and independence, rural economic development, job creation, and improved environmental quality for all Americans.
The 2002 Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development programs are among the largest new direct federal investments in renewable energy in at least 20 years, and the recently-passed 2007 Federal Farm Bill represents a major opportunity to increase agriculture energy across the country. ELPC’s Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development Initiative meets the following needs:
Strong, effective national public advocacy and education for farm-based clean energy programs with national and local policymakers and federal and state officials.
Technical and business outreach for state energy and agriculture officials and key business groups (bankers, energy efficiency consultants, wind developers, etc.) to identify and implement the best value-added leveraging opportunities and improve program education.
Coordination and leadership for a growing, diverse ag-energy coalition of farm, agricultural commodity, rural economic development, sustainable energy, environmental and other organizations supporting and promoting Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development programs.
Learn more at FarmEnergy.org – our comprehensive website on Farm Bill clean energy programs.
