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Action Alert: Farm Bill Energy Title programs
Story Date: 5/17/2012
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Source: John Bonitz, SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY, 5/16/12
Dear Ag and Forestry Stakeholders,
Thanks in part to the actions of many of you, the Senate Ag Committee's Farm Bill includes mandatory funding for the Energy Title programs. Read more here: http://bit.ly/LSNbPZ
While that is good news, there is still more to be done to ensure continuation of Energy Title programs.
In the House of Representatives, Farm Bill hearings continue this week as the House Ag Committee continues to hear from national agricultural stakeholders advocating for policy priorities. The House could act on a bill by June.
A bipartisan Dear Colleague letter led by Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) is being circulated in the House. The letter calls for the House Ag Committee to renew and include the core energy title programs (REAP, BCAP, and BAP) in their version of the Farm Bill markup. Please note that language calling for mandatory funding is not included in this letter; however, reauthorization of these programs is important nonetheless and we urge you to request your House of Representative member to sign onto this letter. A copy of the letter is below.
Please ask your Congressional office to sign on to this letter. Find your representative here: http://www.house.gov/
The deadline to sign is Friday, May 18. They should contact either Rep. Latham’s or Rep. Bishop’s office.
Thank you for your time and your support of the Farm Bill Energy Title programs. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
John
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John Bonitz,
Farm Outreach & Policy Advocate
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
PO Box 1833, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: 919-360-2492
Email: bonitz@cleanenergy.org
Web: http://www.cleanenergy.org
DRAFT LETTER
The Honorable Frank Lucas
U.S. House of Representatives
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Collin C. Peterson
U.S. House of Representatives
1305 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representatives Lucas and Peterson:
We write to urge you to renew core energy title programs in the next Farm Bill. The programs provide a unique federal public-private partnership that benefits agriculture with lower energy input costs as well as increased and diversified revenues. Our nation benefits from enhanced energy security, stewardship of our natural resources and rural economic development.
In particular, we ask you to renew the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and the Biorefinery Assistance Program.
Since the Energy Title was created in the 2002 Farm Bill, we have seen a growing track record of accomplishment for agriculture-based energy. Those accomplishments include over 7,750 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded in every state under the Rural Energy for America Program - REAP.
We now have working energy crop projects launched under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, with hundreds of new projects under development. The USDA has also provided the first loan guarantees for cellulosic biofuel projects. The Department of Energy is not the only avenue for America to advance energy solutions.
These programs often provide the means for entrepreneurs to launch new rural small businesses producing biofuels, wind power, solar, geothermal or many other technologies. The public sector investment leverages greater private sector investment, creating jobs based in America’s private sector.
Importantly, these benefits are being realized by many agricultural sectors all over the country. REAP has supported projects in every state and with many diverse technologies. BCAP has supported projects across the country, from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest and in the South (Missouri). The Biorefinery Assistance Program has supported projects all over the US, including the South.
We know that America can overcome her energy challenges and that our agricultural producers and rural small businesses have much to offer the nation in tapping new renewable energy sources. Overcoming these problems requires long-term and consistent commitment. We ask you to provide that leadership by renewing core Farm Bill Energy Title programs.
Respectfully,
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