National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON (Sept. 12, 2008) – The National Farmers Union board of directors this week endorsed the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 (New ERA), a comprehensive, bipartisan Senate proposal to address America’s current energy needs.

“If you ask anyone in rural America, without a doubt, energy is the number one issue on their minds. Whether you are a farmer facing skyrocketing input costs or a rural resident who commutes hundreds of miles each week, the impact of high energy prices is tremendous,” NFU President Tom Buis said.

Farmers Union members were in Washington, D.C. this week to urge members of Congress to pass a comprehensive energy plan that tackles current challenges while moving forward in the development of renewable fuels from the farm.

“Renewable energy sources like ethanol, wind and solar can be produced in America’s heartland, benefitting not just farmers but their rural communities. This proposal would make significant investments in these and other fuels from the farm.”

“The bipartisan group of Senators recognize the urgent need to extend the Production Tax Credit to keep renewable projects moving forward. Without this proposal, many projects will be taking steps backwards at a time when we need to be sprinting forward on development of renewable energy projects,” Buis said.

Additionally, the proposal will pave the way to transition motor vehicles to fuels other than gasoline and diesel, includes conservation provisions, consumer tax credits and responsible measures to increase domestic production.

“There is no single magic bullet to address our energy needs, but this comprehensive proposal is a good step forward,” Buis said.

Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., John Thune, R-S.D., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Mary Landrieu, D-La., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Mark Pryor, D-Ark., Ben Nelson, D-Neb., John Warner, R-Va., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., Norm Coleman, R-Minn., Tom Carper, D-Del., John Sununu, R-N.H., Ken Salazar, D-Colo., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Evan Bayh, D-Ind., Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are members of the coalition.

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 2:04 pm and is filed under Energy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.