National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON (July 28, 2010) – The National Farmers Union (NFU) expressed strong support for a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) in the Senate’s pending energy legislation. Joined by other agriculture groups in a letter to Senate leadership, NFU emphasized the critical importance of including a 25 percent RES as the Senate takes up consideration of energy legislation.

NFU is deeply concerned that current legislation introduced by Majority Leader Reid does not include RES provisions.

“We are very disappointed with the Majority Leader’s omission of an RES from the recently introduced energy legislation,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “America’s farmers and ranchers support the opportunity to increase energy production under an RES, and the Senate should have an opportunity to vote for it.”

A properly constructed RES would provide significant opportunity for investment in agriculture and rural communities. “Inclusion of these provisions will help America’s drive toward energy independence, reinvigorate rural communities through job growth and income generation for agriculture,” the coalition letter reads.

NFU policy calls upon Congress to create a balanced renewable energy policy that provides greater energy independence; recognizes special energy needs of agriculture; and creates an RES. Such an RES should be broadly applied and should provide added incentive for community-based renewable energy projects.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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To view RES letter, click here
Click here for PDF version of news release

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