Ag Energy Coalition Calls on Congress for More Substance and Funding in Farm Bill Proposal to Create Jobs and Promote Energy Security

In a statement this week, the Ag Energy Coalition expressed concerns over the Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill. According to the agency, which is a coalition of trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm and environmental interests, the Bill fall short in providing for real funding of energy programs.

The Ag Energy Coalition’s membership covers organizations and companies representing a broad spectrum of clean, renewable energy and bioproducts stakeholders. Among the focal points of its member organizations are biofeedstock production and conversion technologies, rural economic development and diversification, biofuel and renewable electricity production, biobased products, environmental protection, and others.

In a statement, the Ag Energy Coalition Co-director Lloyd Ritter said, “The Committee draft bill moves the process forward, thankfully, and we support getting a bill done this year. However, the core energy title programs that are necessary to move the country toward greater energy security, increase jobs, revitalize manufacturing, and improve environmental quality require mandatory funding. REAP, BCAP, Biorefinery Assistance and BioPreferred, among others, have produced results across the country, especially in rural America where jobs are dwindling. We will work with the Ag Committees, members of Congress and the Administration in the days ahead to improve upon this draft bill and help keep America the leader in homegrown energy.”

According to the information released from the organization, the “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.”