Fortenberry Pushes Renewable Energy Policy to Benefit Rural America

Washington D.C. - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry recently joined Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD) in introducing bipartisan legislation to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities for American farmers and livestock producers. The legislation, called the Rural Energy for America Act of 2007, would create the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). It would reauthorize, expand, and enhance the successful Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency program (Section 9006,) which was established in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Americas renewable energy future is now, Fortenberry said. This is a very exciting opportunity for our farmers to lead the way for clean, environmentally-friendly energy production. Renewable energy is good for Nebraska and great for America.

Between 2003 and 2006, Nebraska received over $13.2 million for 212 individual Section 9006 projects. The 1st Congressional District has received over $890,000 for 35 projects.

Innovative Nebraska producers are currently using Section 9006 support to convert animal waste to electricity and soybeans to biodiesel, as well as improve energy efficiency on individual operations to cuts costs and conserve resources. As part of a new energy title in the 2007 Farm Bill, the Herseth Sandlin-Fortenberry legislation would expand these opportunities for producers, in turn helping build a new energy future for our country and a new model for prosperity in rural America.

REAP would provide multiple enhancements to energy policy, including: broadening the eligibility of Section 9006 to include rural school districts; broadening covered activities to include the production and sale of electricity generated by renewable electricity systems; increasing the maximum amount of loan guarantees for most projects to $25 million; increasing the maximum amount of loan guarantees for projects producing renewable fuels from cellulosic biomass to $100 million; allowing up to 10 percent of the programs funds authorized to be used for feasibility studies; and allowing non-federal entities to administer Section 9006 grants of up to $10,000. Additionally, overall funding for the program would increase through fiscal year 2012.

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