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

"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.