Nebraska is helping lead America’s renewable energy future. With the right vision and smart planning, we can make our state a national model for clean, green energy use and production. Public policy should encourage such efforts by looking to the Midwest, not the Middle East, for America’s new energy resources.
Benefits for our State
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave renewable energy an important role in energy policy,
spurring a rapid growth of alternative energy production in America. This growth
is nowhere more evident than in Nebraska. Today we are America’s second largest ethanol
producer. Developments in biodiesel, biogas, and wind energy are surging. Smart growth
will continue to help increase our energy independence, create new income for farmers,
and conserve our natural resources.
Bringing Energy and Farm Policy Together
My Rural Energy Self Sufficiency Initiative, which was successfully amended to the House
2007 Farm Bill, would provide assistance for rural towns to establish community based
renewable energy systems. It is important that rural America lead the way to energy independence through clean energy development that is economically and environmentally sustainable.
Creating Clean Energy
I have cosponsored the Clean and Green Renewable Energy Tax Credit Act of 2007 (H.R.1596). Among other provisions, it provides a long-term extension of the tax credits for investment in solar energy and qualified fuel cell property through 2030.
The 25 x 25 Renewable Energy Effort (H. Con. Res. 25) passed the House in October. It calls for 25 percent of America’s energy supply to come from agriculture and rural-based renewable energy sources by 2025. I have been a long-time supporter of this effort.
Additionally, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6), which increases mileage standards (CAFE) and the renewable fuel standard. These policies will help America become less dependent on foreign sources of energy over time and enhance Nebraska’s economy with expanded investment in renewable energy resources.