National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson has submitted a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., urging the Senate to pass the Renewable Electricity Promotion Act of 2010. S. 3813 would create a national 15% Renewable Energy Standard. Johnson says NFU believes a properly constructed RES will not only help make the nation more energy secure but also provide economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country.
A study recently released by the University of Tennessee found that an RES could generate as much as $14 billion in accumulated additional revenues for agriculture and forestry, increase the demand and production of dedicated energy crops for biomass feedstocks, drive $215 billion of additional economic activity, and create over 700,000 jobs.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, locally-owned wind projects would generate 2.6 times more jobs and 3.1 times more rural economic development than those under a lease arrangement. NFU's policy supports a balanced energy policy that seeks at least 25% renewable energy by 2025 for the United States while also protecting our nation's environment.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.