[DOCID: f:hr710p1.109]
From the House Reports Online via GPO Access
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109th Congress Rept. 109-710
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session Part 1
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RESOLUTION ON USE OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION
_______
September 29, 2006.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Goodlatte, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 424]
The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 424) expressing the sense
of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not
later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and
working land of the United States should provide from renewable
resources not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed
in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant,
and affordable food, feed, and fiber, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend
that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.
BRIEF SUMMARY
H. Con. Res. 424 expresses a sense of Congress that the
goal of the United States is that at least 25 percent of the
energy consumed in the United States should be the product of
the agricultural, forestry, and working lands of the nation.
The resolution further provides that along with this production
for energy, the United States should continue to produce a
sufficient supply of food, feed, and fiber.
Before reaching this resolution, H. Con. Res. 424 states
that the production of renewable energy from agricultural,
forestry, and working lands is beneficial to national security,
rural economies, and the environment. H. Con. Res. 424 further
states a belief that the development and use of renewable
energy will stabilize the cost and availability of energy in
the United States and that supportive policies and incentives
will make increased use practical and effective.
PURPOSE AND NEED
The official title of the resolution as introduced is:
``Expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the
United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the
agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States
should provide from renewable resources not less than 25
percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and
continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed,
and fiber.''
H. Con. Res. 424, also known as 25x'25 recognizes that it
is in our best interest to wean ourselves off of the dependency
on foreign oil and furthermore, recognizes that the best way to
accomplish this goal is the utilization of our agriculture and
forestry resources. In fact, there are sources of renewable
energy in every one of the 50 states. These can be provided
from resources such as wind, solar, hydro and biofuels.
Renewable energy already produces 6 percent of America's total
energy today and by 2025 it will be possible to produce 25% of
our projected energy use, from farm and forest resources,
including many waste materials. The 25x'25 vision sets a
national goal, a vision of where we want to go to ensure a
sustainable, secure energy future for us and for future
generations.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
I. Full Committee Consideration
The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with
a quorum present, on September 21, 2006, to consider H. Con.
Res. 424 and other pending legislation.
Members were recognized and each made a statement in
support of the legislation. Counsel was also recognized for a
brief explanation of the resolution.
Mr. Conaway was recognized to offer and explain an
amendment to state that the market is best suited to determine
which forms of renewable energy are the most effective and
efficient. Discussion occurred, and without objection, the
amendment was withdrawn.
There being no amendments, Mr. Peterson moved that H. Con.
Res. 424 be reported favorably to the House with the
recommendation that it pass.
By a voice vote, and in the presence of a quorum, H. Con.
Res. 424 was ordered favorably reported to the House.
Chairman Goodlatte then advised Members that pursuant to
the rules of the House of Representatives that Members have 2
calendar days to file such views with the Committee. No Members
came forth with intent to file additional views.
Without objection, staff was given permission to make any
necessary clerical, technical or conforming changes to reflect
the intent of the Committee.
Chairman Goodlatte thanked all the Members and adjourned
the meeting subject to the call of the chair.
REPORTING THE BILL--ROLLCALL VOTES
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, H. Con. Res. 424 was reported by voice vote
with a majority quorum present. There was no request for a
recorded vote.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture's
oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the
body of this report.
BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE (SECTIONS 308, 402, AND 423)
The provisions of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (relating to estimates of new
budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority,
or increased or decreased revenues or tax expenditures) were
not requested from the Congressional Budget Office as this
resolution would result in no new costs to the Federal
government. Therefore, the Committee advises that the
resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no
comparison of the total estimated funding level under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and sections 402 and 423 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 for the relevant programs are not considered
applicable.
PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
H. Con. Res. 424 does not authorize funding, therefore,
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is inapplicable.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the
Constitutional authority for this legislation in Article I,
clause 8, section 18, that grants Congress the power to make
all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers
vested by Congress in the Constitution of the United States or
in any department or officer thereof.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H. Con. Res.
424 would result in no new costs to the Federal government.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Con. Res. 424 contains no Federal mandates.
EARMARKS
Pursuant to H. Res. 1000, adopted by the House on September
14, 2006, the Committee states that this legislation contains
no earmarks.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
H. Con. Res. 424 does not amend any existing Federal
statute.
COMMITTEE CORRESPONDENCE
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, September 28, 2006.
Hon. Richard Pombo,
Chairman, House Committee on Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: On September 21 the Committee on
Agriculture favorably reported H. Con. Res. 424, otherwise
known as the 25x25 resolution. H. Con. Res. 424 was primarily
referred to the Committee on Agriculture and additionally to
the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce. In light of the limited time remaining in this
Congress, I ask for your help in expediting this important
legislation.
I ask that you allow the Committee on Resources to be
discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 424.
Discharge would not be considered as affecting your committee's
jurisdiction over this subject matter. In the event of a
conference with the Senate, I would support naming Resources
Committee members to any conference committee.
I look forward to your response and would be pleased to
include it and this request in either the committee report or
the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of the
bills by the House of Representatives.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Resources,
Washington, DC, September 28, 2006.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter on H. Con.
Res. 424, expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal
of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the
agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States
should provide from renewable resources not less than 25
percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and
continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed,
and fiber. Knowing that the 109th Congress is rapidly drawing
to a close and how important this bill is to you, I would be
pleased to allow the Committee on Resources to be discharged
from further consideration of this measure. By doing so, I do
not waive the Committee's jurisdiction over the subject matter
of the bill and it will not serve as precedent for future
referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be
necessary, I appreciate your support to have the Committee on
Resources represented on the conference committee. I would also
appreciate our exchange of letters being included in either the
bill report or in the Congressional Record when H. Con. Res.
424 is considered on the Floor.
Thank you for your leadership on this issue and your
extraordinary cooperation during this Congress. It has been a
pleasure working with you and your able staff.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Pombo,
Chairman.
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