25x'25 Offers Economic Recovery Advice

Pork Magazine
By Pork news staff Monday, December 15, 2008

The National 25x'25 Alliance Steering Committee has offered Congress and the incoming Obama administration a broad package of new recommendations that will bolster the U.S. economy, create new jobs and insure a clean energy future, the group contends.

The recommendations take aim at all objectives: research, innovation funding for start-up businesses, financial assistance to established firms, infrastructure development and job growth, all in a wide variety of renewable energy sectors that also address the ongoing economic downturn.

The 12 recommendations boost federal renewable energy programs by calling for additional investments totaling some $4.14 billion, an outlay that could ultimately help generate hundreds of billions in new annual revenues and millions of new jobs. The proposals target programs that accelerate markets the wind energy, solar power, biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower and biofuels industries. The package also calls for a renewed look at government support for advanced biofuel production, including increased funding in the form of grants specifically aimed at the construction of commercial-scale, cellulosic production facilities. The proposals underscore the critical role USDA and its programs can and will play in the promotion of a clean energy future and a robust economy.

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