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Sponsored 109th |
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About Stephanie |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Herseth Co-Sponsors Amendment to Benefit South Dakota’s Ethanol and Wind Industries July 13, 2004, Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a plan offered jointly by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) to restore $8 million in funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The $8 million increase passed on a voice vote, and is included in the Agriculture Appropriations bill that overwhelmingly passed the House this evening. Rep. Herseth offered the original amendment with Rep. Kaptur last week. In the course of debate, the amendment’s funding offset was changed, but the thrust of the Kaptur-Herseth plan – to restore funding for renewable energy grants – remains in the final version that passed the House. “I am proud to have played a part in this win for South Dakota’s renewable energy industry,” Rep. Herseth said. “This legislation not only helps existing agriculture entities increase their energy efficiency, it helps provide startup funds for new renewable energy projects like ethanol plants and wind farms.” Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) praised Rep. Herseth for her work in getting the amendment passed. Kaptur added, "America needs a ‘declaration of energy independence.’ We must replace imported petroleum with renewable energy that will create thousands of jobs, control pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions. This amendment is critical because funding for this very important program will be brought to the full level.” The bill restores funding to the Department of Agriculture’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program. Herseth noted that last year, USDA awarded a total of 113 grants to program applicants 24 states. These grants totaled $21.2 million nationwide, including more than $62,000 for an energy efficiency project in the state of South Dakota. In remarks in support of the amendment on the House floor today, Herseth said, “The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program was created under the 2002 Farm Bill and has been a great success.” She continued, “This program is a ‘win-win’ for farmers, ranchers, and consumers, and I feel it is important not to cut its funding levels.” National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson praised the efforts of Rep. Herseth and Rep. Kaptur in a July 12 letter: “On behalf of our nearly 300,000 National Farmers Union members across rural America, I am writing today to enthusiastically support your efforts to restore full federal funding for Section 9006, the Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvements program.” Herseth was sworn into the House on June 3, 2004, less than six weeks ago. One of her first major votes was on an Energy Bill containing a provision to double the use of ethanol over the next ten years. She has also supported a tax bill containing incentives for ethanol producers.
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