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Measure would shift an additional $1.14 billion to support energy programs at USDA

February 6, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Thune (R-SD), Tim Johnson (D-SD), and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced an amendment (#397) to the economic recovery legislation tonight that would move $1.14 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) into energy programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA). The measure will be voted on tonight.

Currently, the Senate jobs bill invests a total of $78 billion in energy, including energy tax measures. While the senators believe these  investments are crucial to accelerating the nation’s energy transition, they believe the bill fails to recognize the importance and value of energy programs at USDA. The Senate bill currently includes $250 million for USDA energy programs, compared with approximately $40 billion for DOE energy programs. The senators’ amendment shifts $1.14 billion of the $40 billion DOE funding to USDA energy initiatives enacted in the recent farm bill.

“USDA energy programs play a critical role in reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign fuels and help build wealth and prosperity in rural and urban communities across the country,” said Senator Harkin.  “USDA has a proven track record of quickly, efficiently, and successfully running programs that boost development of advanced biofuels for our transportation systems and invest in our own backyards. It is critically important that we provide the funding they need to move forward quickly.”

“Agriculture based renewable energy is revitalizing communities across rural America,” said Senator Thune. “The 2008 Farm Bill includes several initiatives that will promote second generation biofuels and diversify our rural economy. I am pleased to support this bipartisan amendment that ensures USDA energy programs receive their fair share of funding.”

“There is tremendous potential to create jobs in agriculture through cutting our dependence on foreign energy by retooling our economy to produce more renewable energy,” said Senator Johnson. “This amendment will spur investment and job creation by funding effective research and deployment programs that harness the private sectors push into the renewable energy economy.”

“This amendment will bring economic opportunity to Montana and across rural America,” Senator Tester said. “We need jobs not politics as usual, and this bipartisan measure will put farm country to work to help secure America’s energy future.”

USDA energy programs play a critical role in the development and  commercialization of advanced biofuels. The department also has a stellar record of carrying out initiatives like those already included in the economic recovery bill, including energy efficiency projects and the promotion of renewable energy systems.

The senators noted that in order to meet the national targets in the Renewable Fuel Standard, there needs to be new support for biomass crop production, harvesting, transport and storage – programs already in place at USDA. In addition, during this time when private investment capital is slowing to a drip, the senators believe that Congress needs to support the growing number of commercial biorefineries for advanced biofuels, as well as biomass research and development for better technologies in the future.

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Summary of the Farm Energy Economic Recovery Program

You can download the full letter here (PDF format). Following is a quick

summary of the three-part proposal.

Expand Funding for Farm Bill Energy Title Programs

• Include at least $1.2 billion in additional funding for important Farm Bill Energy Title programs like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Biorefinery Assistance Program, Repowering Assistance and Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

More information on all energy title programs can be found in our Farm Bill Policy section.

Extend and Improve Clean Energy Tax Credits

• Extend the federal Production Tax Credits (PTC) for wind and biomass power for five years.
• Change structure of PTC and investment tax credit (ITC) to make them fully refundable.
• Stimulate 2009 investment by permitting tax credits from new
  investments in 2008 and 2009 to be carried back against tax liability
  from the past decade.
• Create a level playing field for producers of renewable electricity by modifying the PTC so all renewable sources of electricity will be eligible for the full credit.

Expand Successful Clean Renewable Energy And Conservation Bond Programs

• Extend and expand funding for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds.
• These bond programs provide PTC-like incentives for electric
  cooperatives, public power, and municipalities to build new renewable energy facilities and invest in energy efficiency.

Letter Signers

Following is a list of the groups and companies who signed onto the letter:

25x’25 Alliance

American Agri-Women

American Coalition for Ethanol

Association of Consulting Foresters

Association of State Energy Research & Technology Transfer Institutions

Biomass Power Association

Biotechnology Industry Association

Ceres

CHS, Inc.

Clean Energy First

Climate Solutions

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Environmental Law & Policy Center

Forest Landowners Association

Intertribal Council On Utility Policy

John Deere

Native Wind

National Alliance of Forest Owners

National Association of Forest Service Retirees

National Association of State Energy Officials

National Association of Wheat Growers

National Corn Growers Association

National Farmers Union

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

National Sorghum Producers

National Wildlife Federation

National Woodland Owners Association

North American Equipment Dealers Association

Pinchot Institute for Conservation

Society of American Foresters

Solar Energy Industries Association

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

The Farm Credit Council

The Stella Group, Ltd.