Groups Support Ag Energy Proposal for Carbon Pollution Reduction
Groups Unite for Improved Clean Energy Bill
September 10, 2009 – A diverse coalition of energy, agricultural and environmental groups called on the Senate Agriculture Committee to improve clean energy legislation by investing the revenue from carbon pollution allowances into programs that stimulate low carbon agriculture-based energy.
Low carbon ag-energy solutions include both energy efficiency improvements for farms and ranches and renewable energy projects such as wind turbines, solar panels, biomass (including biomass combined heat and power) and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Energy efficiency saves money for farmers, ranchers and foresters and reduces global warming pollution very quickly. All of these modern technologies reduce carbon pollution and are well-suited for agricultural applications.
The proposal would provide incentives without increasing taxes. Instead, the proposal uses proceeds from the sale of carbon pollution allowances and invests that money into initiatives that reduce carbon pollution and create new savings and income for rural America. The allowance trading system is part of a market-based system that can reduce global warming pollution at the lowest cost.
“American agriculture can and should lead the way to drastic carbon reductions, but we need policies like these to jumpstart the pace of clean energy implementation,” said Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate for the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC).
“Investing allowances to stimulate clean energy development is a textbook example of sound policy to cut carbon pollution and should be part of any agriculture package,” said Kerri Johannsen, Policy Advocate for ELPC.
“Agriculture can be a net winner in the climate bill,” added Olsen. “Expanding low carbon ag-energy initiatives is good for agriculture, good for rural economic development and good for fighting climate change.”
You can find the letter, including all the supporting groups, here. See also the ELPC fact sheet that discusses why these programs are a great fit in the climate bill and how they can benefit farmers, ranchers and forest owners across the country.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andy Olsen
September 10, 2009 608-334-1456
Ag Energy Proposal for Carbon Pollution Reduction
Groups Unite for Improved Clean Energy Bill
A diverse coalition of energy, agricultural and environmental groups called on the Senate Agriculture Committee to improve clean energy legislation by investing the revenue from carbon pollution allowances into programs that stimulate low carbon agriculture-based energy.
Low carbon ag-energy solutions include both energy efficiency improvements for farms and ranches and renewable energy projects such as wind turbines, solar panels, biomass (including biomass combined heat and power) and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Energy efficiency saves money for farmers, ranchers and foresters and reduces global warming pollution very quickly. All of these modern technologies reduce carbon pollution and are well-suited for agricultural applications.
The proposal would provide incentives without increasing taxes. Instead, the proposal uses proceeds from the sale of carbon pollution allowances and invests that money into initiatives that reduce carbon pollution and create new savings and income for rural America. The allowance trading system is part of a market-based system that can reduce global warming pollution at the lowest cost.
“American agriculture can and should lead the way to drastic carbon reductions, but we need policies like these to jumpstart the pace of clean energy implementation,” said Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate for the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC).
“Investing allowances to stimulate clean energy development is a textbook example of sound policy to cut carbon pollution and should be part of any agriculture package,” said Kerri Johannsen, Policy Advocate for ELPC.
“Agriculture can be a net winner in the climate bill,” added Olsen. “Expanding low carbon ag-energy initiatives is good for agriculture, good for rural economic development and good for fighting climate change.”
The letter is attached.