USDA Energy Role - Congressional Testimony on June 29, 2006
USDA Rural Development–Congressional Testimony: Mr. Chairman, it is a distinct pleasure for me to appear before you today to discuss USDA’s role in our nation’s energy strategy… [Read Entire Text]
“Finally, from the vantage point of USDA Rural Development, the emergence of a viable market for renewable energy represents an historic opportunity for job and wealth creation in rural America. Ethanol, biodiesel, wind, and solar are distributed resources. Small and mid-sized producers are able to compete. We are acutely interested, therefore, in focusing our resources on products that encourage a high degree of local ownership and control.“
August 2006 - USDA $17.5 million in RE and Energy Efficiency in 2006 grant cycle
Release No. 0329.06: ” AMANA, Iowa, Aug. 30, 2006-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the award of $17,510,887 in Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Grants to 375 recipients in 36 states today.
The grant program compliments the Bush Administration’s overall effort to increase America’s energy independence through the development of renewable energy resources as well as improving efficiency of existing systems. [See PDF of Recipients]
The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. Recipients of the funding include agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents that have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Additionally, the program provides loan guarantees… [Read More]
Roots of Peace - Demining in Afghanistan
Roots of Peace - Demining in Afghanistan: “Roots of Peace has been working in Afghanistan since Spring 2002 where our efforts have focused on removing landmines and UXOs from the Shomali Plain region located north of Kabul. This region once produced over 70 varietals of table grapes prior to the planting of landmines by the Soviets, Taliban and the forces fighting the Taliban. In Afghanistan Roots of Peace is truly turning Mines to Vines - replacing the scourge of landmines and bringing revitalization and replanting to the nation’s table grape industry.”
House Ag Committee Passes 25x’25 Resolution
25x’25 - House Ag Committee Passes 25x’25 Resolution: “Embraces New Energy Vision:
25 % of U.S. Energy from Renewables by 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Committee on Agriculture today approved H. Con. Res. 424, which embraces a new national vision of meeting 25% of the nation’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.
The 25x’25 resolution has the support of a broad coalition including agriculture, industry, and environmental leaders, as well as governors, four state legislatures, over 80 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, and 27 co-sponsors in the Senate.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA Farm Bill Section 9006
U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA Farm Bill Section 9006: “NEWS: February 22, 2006 - USDA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of $11.385 million in funding for competitive grants and $176.5 million in authority for guarantee loans in fiscal year 2006 under the Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. This Notice of Funds Availability can be downloaded here.”
USDA Rural Development–Energy Initiatives
USDA Rural Development–Energy Initiatives: “Rural Development administers several programs that support President Bush’s and USDA’s goal of putting an energy policy into effect that meets America’s current — and future — energy needs by using agriculture as a part of the energy solution. Rural Development’s energy programs support the development of renewable energy systems and expansion of the economic viability of biomass projects.”