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March 29, 2006

22 Senators Call for Renewable Energy's Full Funding for FY 2007

Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

A bipartisan coalition of Senators led by Idaho's Mike Crapo and Iowa's Tom Harkin is asking Senate appropriators to ensure that programs improving renewable energy production receive the full funding possible in the coming fiscal year.

"The Section 9006 program has already helped to produce more than 170 million gallons a year of ethanol and biofuels, and more than 300 megawatts of wind power. The 150 energy-efficiency projects...have saved America millions of dollars in energy costs. We must continue this record of success to work for energy independence."

-- Mike Crapo, U.S. Senator, Idaho

"We urge you to fully fund the valuable Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program for FY2007," begins the letter addressed to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies.

"This renewable energy program creates jobs in rural America, saves energy, and produces a cleaner environment," said Crapo, who is Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization.

The Senators are calling for minimum funding of $23 million to continue the renewable energy programs. The letter, dated March 24th, which Crapo and 21 other Senators signed, notes that Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill expanded the use of renewable energy such as wind, solar power, ethanol and biodiesel. In the letter, they note that over the past three years, Section 9006 programs invested nearly $62 million in 270 projects that brought an estimated return of nearly $834 million, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

"The Section 9006 program has already helped to produce more than 170 million gallons a year of ethanol and biofuels, and more than 300 megawatts of wind power. The 150 energy-efficiency projects, including some in my home state of Idaho," said Crapo, "have saved America millions of dollars in energy costs. We must continue this record of success to work for energy independence."

A copy of the Senators' letter can be found at the following link.
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Reader Comments (6)
 
No image available
March 29, 2006
With all the hot air on Capitol Hill, you'd think we'd have that harnessed as well. However, I would like to see them work together to move us forward. Not only the ones with projects in their states. Not only the ones who get visits from Lobbyists. But all our rep's, working together for the betterment of the country. 22 out of 100? Be still, my beating heart :P
Comment 1 of 6
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It's great that the senate might not cut additional funding from alternate energy programs. They've already slashed the budget for the NREL and are talking about removing all funding for the development of geothermal energy. It's wonderful that in this case they may use the amount of money they spend in Iraq each couple of hours and spread it over the year for the development of alternate energies.
Comment 2 of 6
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March 29, 2006
Thank you Senators. Finally some statesmanship relating to the energy situation.

Makes a lot more sense than giving subsidies to oil companies selling $65.00 a barrel oil?!
Comment 3 of 6
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March 31, 2006
I hope that both of our 2 U.S. Senators from
New Jersey "The Garden State" will see the value in this undertaking and sign on and offer their support.
Comment 4 of 6
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April 1, 2006
Even though I personally am not much of an ethanol fan, I must say that the proposal to fully fund Section 9006 makes good sense to move us away from oil dependency since it grants support to renewables. It would be a step backward not to provide appropriations.

adrianakau@aol.com
Comment 5 of 6
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April 3, 2006
It seems that we are learning the lesson of the mid-1970's all over again. Thank you for this bill. I suggest allowing the little guys to have at it first. Let's do it and catch up with Europe, Japan, China, and CALIFORNIA!

Bob Tazelaar, Michigan
Comment 6 of 6
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