Ag and Energy Groups Urge Congress to Include Energy Title in New Farm Bill

Grainnet.com
Date Posted: October 24, 2011

Washington—A coalition of nearly 50 trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm, and forest interests wrote leaders of the House Agriculture and Senate Agriculture Committees Oct. 21 to urge inclusion of a robust energy title in any new Farm Bill legislation.

The Congressional committees earlier this week proposed a reduction of $23 billion in funding for programs under USDA jurisdiction to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, but they did not provide details on how these cuts would impact individual programs under their jurisdiction.

"The innovative programs authorized in the Energy Title of the 2008 Farm Bill...have helped finance thousands of diverse renewable energy projects and improved energy efficiency at farms, ranches and businesses across rural America," the letter stated.

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