Farm Energy

The dust has settled on funding the government for fiscal year 2016, which began on October 1, 2015. After protracted discussions, an omnibus bill was passed that continues funding for key Farm Bill clean energy programs, with some funding reductions.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP, Section 9007) is the cornerstone of the Farm Bill’s energy title. The House-passed appropriations measure would have reduced REAP mandatory funding by 28%, from $50 million to $35.8 million. The Senate measure maintained mandatory funding and added $.5 million in discretionary funding, restricted to loan guarantees.

The Omnibus included the Senate measure and REAP funding was preserved for 2016.

For other programs, the news was mixed: (more…)

(December 15, 2104) The big news from our nation’s capital this past week has been the passage of the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2015, which began on October 1^st. The federal government had been operating on funding extensions and was facing a deadline that risked another government shutdown. At this writing the bill has been passed that will fund government operations through the remainder of FY2015 and the President is expected to sign it.

The bad news is that (more…)

Renewable Energy Cuts Far Out of Proportion

The Senate Appropriations Committee slashed funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill for FY2012. The Committee reduced overall funding from $75 million in FY2011 to $38.5 million in FY2012. REAP funding was already reduced in 2011 by 25% as the program continues to bear a disproportionate share of budget cuts. (more…)

President Obama’s proposed 2011 budget slates Farm Bill clean energy programs for some needed growth. The Administration released its budget in early February, and in it the President boosts next year’s funding level for REAP to its highest level ever: $109 million. The budget adds $39 million of discretionary funding on top of the $70 million in “mandatory” funding in the 2008 Farm Bill. (more…)

Good news on a key funding victory for the Farm Bill Energy Title! On October 16, 2009, the President signed the 2010 agriculture appropriations budget into law. The bill significantly increases the Rural Energy for America Program’s (REAP) total funding by adding an additional $39.34 million in discretionary funding to the program. That funding, in combination with the $60 million in mandatory funding for next year, increases total REAP funding to $99.34 million. (more…)

Today, May 15, 2009, 30 members of the US House of Representatives called for full finding for the clean energy programs in the Farm Bill. Led by Representatives Tim Walz (D-MN) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) a bipartisan group sent a letter to the Leadership of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee seeking full funding for the programs in the 2008 Farm Bill Energy Title.

These new programs can help the nation develop new, modern, low carbon energy sources along with improving energy efficiency. Indeed, these programs demonstrate how agriculture can adapt and prosper within a low carbon economy.

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