Ag Energy Coalition Applauds Senate Agriculture Committee for Hearing on Rural Energy

WASHINGTON--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) commends Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, along with other Members for today’s hearing, entitled “Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America.” This hearing was the Committee’s first of the year on the 2012 Farm Bill and demonstrates the important role that Farm Bill energy programs have played in promoting jobs, economic growth, and clean, renewable energy throughout rural America.

“Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America.”

As a called witness, Ag Energy Coalition and NFU member Steve Flick of Show Me Energy made clear that farm-based energy and the programs that support it like BCAP are essential to rural America’s future economic livelihood.

“The Farm Bill’s bi-partisan energy title has been a tremendous economic driver for communities throughout rural America, funding renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in every state of the Union and providing the means for continued development of advanced biofuels, biopower and bioproducts, expanded wind and solar power production, improved energy efficiency, and other important endeavors,” stated Flick.

Lloyd Ritter, Coalition co-director, stated, “The new agriculture jobs generated by these and related programs is a testament to their importance. The jobs growth potential for ag-based energy is astounding, but we must stay the course for an all of the above ag energy policy.”

“We look forward to working with Chairman Stabenow, Ranking Member Roberts and other members to further expand the important role the Committee and USDA play in our nation’s clean energy future,” said Ryan Stroshchein, Coalition co-director.

The AgEC is a broad membership-based consortium of organizations and companies representing the entire spectrum of clean, renewable energy and bioproducts stakeholders. It includes members focused on biomass feedstock production and conversion technologies, rural economic development and diversification, biofuel and renewable electricity production, biobased products, environmental protection, 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.