The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) thanks Senate Leaders Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kans.) for reauthorizing the Farm Bill with a strong Energy Title with mandatory funding.
"Reauthorization of the Farm Bill's energy title will help to expand economic growth and job creation in rural America, where it's needed. These programs have been successful in supporting the growth of new renewable industries, creating markets for U.S. agriculture, and saving energy. We urge Members of the House, which is currently considering energy legislation, to quickly take up and pass the Farm Bill and its energy title. An 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy must include renewable energy and create opportunities for every region, especially rural areas. We look forward to working with the House as they move through the legislative process," stated Lloyd Ritter, a founder and co-director of AgEC.
The AgEC is a broad membership-based consortium of organizations and companies representing a broad spectrum of clean, renewable energy, energy efficiency and bioproducts stakeholders. It includes members focused on feedstock production and conversion technologies, rural economic development and diversification, biofuels, products and power, and renewable electricity production, environmental quality, and others. Coalition members are committed to seeing a strong bi-partisan energy title in the 2012 farm bill that builds on the tremendous clean energy accomplishments USDA has already realized and provides resources to USDA at a level that enables them to continue and expand this important mission.
Contacts:
Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC)
Lloyd Ritter, 202-215-5512
or
Ryan
Stroschein, 202-415-5174
