Fortenberry Addresses USDA Rural Development
Renewable Energy Conference

Washington D.C. - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today addressed the "Funding the Future of Renewable Energy" conference held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus. In Washington, Fortenberry addressed the Lincoln audience via video-conference.

"Renewable energy is America's new frontier, and Nebraska is pioneering the way," Fortenberry said. "It has become an increasingly important component of the national energy debate because it meets multiple public policy objectives. Renewable energy decreases America's reliance on foreign sources of energy. It is environmentally sensitive, helping to conserve our natural resources and promote good stewardship. And it creates new farm income, boosting opportunities for our farmers and rural areas."

"Federal policy has helped create much of America's current renewable energy boom. Today we have an opportunity to do much more. The wedding of energy and agriculture policy is very exciting, particularly for Nebraska," Fortenberry said.

"As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am eager to work with my colleagues in the coming weeks and months to make ag-based renewable energy production a priority in the 2007 Farm Bill."

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