[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11504-H11507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          25 BY 25 RESOLUTION

  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 25) expressing the 
sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not 
later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working 
land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not 
less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States 
and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and 
fiber.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 25

       Whereas the United States has a quantity of renewable 
     energy resources that is sufficient to supply a significant 
     portion of the energy needs of the United States;
       Whereas the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the 
     United States can help ensure a sustainable domestic energy 
     system;
       Whereas accelerated development and use of renewable energy 
     technologies provide numerous benefits to the United States, 
     including improved national security, improved balance of 
     payments, healthier rural economies, improved environmental 
     quality, and abundant, reliable, and affordable energy for 
     all citizens of the United States;
       Whereas the production of transportation fuels from 
     renewable energy would help the United States meet rapidly 
     growing domestic and global energy demands, reduce the 
     dependence of the United States on energy imported from 
     volatile regions of the world that are politically unstable, 
     stabilize the cost and availability of energy, and safeguard 
     the economy and security of the United States;
       Whereas increased energy production from domestic renewable 
     resources would attract substantial new investments in energy 
     infrastructure, create economic growth, develop new jobs for 
     the citizens of the United States, and increase the income 
     for farm, ranch, and forestry jobs in the rural regions of 
     the United States;
       Whereas increased use of renewable energy is practical and 
     can be cost effective with the implementation of supportive 
     policies and proper incentives to stimulate markets and 
     infrastructure; and
       Whereas public policies aimed at enhancing renewable energy 
     production and accelerating technological improvements will 
     further reduce energy costs over time and increase market 
     demand: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that it is the 
     goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 
     2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the 
     United States should provide from renewable resources not 
     less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the 
     United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, and 
     affordable food, feed, and fiber.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Goodlatte) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 25, and urge its adoption by 
the House. H. Con. Res. 25 embodies the vision of farmers and ranchers 
who have been leaders in renewable energy and land conservation 
activities, and recognizes that forestry and agriculture will play a 
leading role in our country's transitions to energy independence. The 
25x'25 Resolution sets a national energy independence goal that by the 
year 2025, 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States 
should come from homegrown, renewable sources.
  This resolution has received strong bipartisan support, was passed 
out of the House Agriculture Committee under my good friend, Mr. 
Goodlatte's leadership last year, and again in May under the new 
Congress. The 25x'25 Resolution has been carefully crafted to set 
national renewable energy production targets, while allowing farmers, 
ranchers, entrepreneurs and industry the flexibility needed to reach 
these important goals.
  Madam Speaker, the new face of energy security and rural development 
is in the form of a biofuels plant, a gasifier, a windmill, a methane 
digester or any other technology that will reduce dependence on foreign 
energy sources. In times of high energy prices, I can think of no one 
better to supply the United States with a renewable source of energy 
than the same American farmers and ranchers who have provided the 
United States and the world with an abundance of safe food and fiber.
  Expanding the production and the use of renewable energy is an 
important priority, not just for agriculture, but for the entire 
country in our pursuit of energy independence. The 25x'25 Coalition has 
grown over the past several years, and now includes endorsements from 
more than 590 business, conservation, agriculture and forestry 
organizations. As renewable energy use continues to expand, new 
innovations, including the promising growth of cellulosic ethanol, will 
not only provide for our energy needs; they will also produce 
environmental and conservation benefits.
  I think the future of energy production from agriculture and forestry 
is the most exciting thing that has happened in rural America in my 
lifetime. The 25x'25 Resolution states our commitment to support the 
development of renewable energy sources. I believe we can not only meet 
but exceed the goal of 25 percent by the year 2025.
  But every journey starts with a first step, and this resolution is a 
very important first step that we can take in achieving this energy 
independence.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their support and again urge 
the support of the House for the passage of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would first like to thank the gentleman from 
Minnesota, the chairman of the committee, for his leadership in 
bringing this resolution before the Congress again, and the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania, Mr. Holden, for his involvement in this as well.
  The resolution, also known as 25x'25, recognizes the importance of 
agriculture in meeting our energy needs and sets a noble goal for 
American agriculture: to produce 25 percent of the total energy 
consumed in the United States from the renewable resources of our 
agriculture, forestry and working lands by the year 2025.
  We have made significant progress in developing a robust industry 
using agricultural crops as well as animal waste to produce ethanol and 
biodiesel. In 2006 alone, the renewable fuels industry added more than 
1.05 billion gallons of new ethanol to the marketplace. It is projected 
that without any new technological breakthroughs, the industry already 
has the potential to produce more than 11 billion gallons per year 
within the next decade.
  While the domestic production of energy has been exciting, there are 
still many renewable energy sources yet to be explored and developed. 
There are a wide variety of agricultural products and by-products that 
can be converted to clean, renewable energy sources. In fact, there are 
sources of renewable energy in every one of our 50 States, including 
wind, solar, hydropower and biomass. The development of cellulosic 
technology has enormous potential to bolster the renewable fuel market 
inside the corn belt and well beyond.
  I am particularly excited about the opportunity to use forest biomass 
as a component of our renewable energy supply. Forest biomass is 
plentiful and available in many States. Almost two-thirds of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia is forested, as is much of the southeastern 
United States. In fact, today we have roughly the same amount of forest 
land as we had 100 years ago. Trees are an abundant resource and are 
available for conversion into both wood products and biofuels year-
round.
  Every year we grow almost twice as much forest biomass as we harvest.

[[Page H11505]]

This wood and wood waste has the potential to produce enough 
electricity to power 43 million households, or enough ethanol to 
increase our domestic supply by almost 10-fold. As we find more ways to 
use forest biomass in our energy supply, we also have the opportunity 
to improve forest health, removing materials that fuel wildfires and 
insect and disease infestations.
  Renewable energy development can create valuable markets for many of 
the waste materials which are currently a burden on America's farmers, 
such as animal waste, harvest by-products and damaged crops. Farmers 
continue to face steep environmental regulations in handling animal 
waste, and converting this waste into renewable fuels is a win-win for 
farmers and the environment. In fact, I would like to see the word 
``waste'' taken out of American agriculture since almost everything 
produced on our farms can be used or reused for some other purpose.
  The current tax credits and renewable fuels standard, along with the 
phaseout of MTBE, has helped fuel investment in new ethanol and 
biodiesel plants, and created more markets for agriculture products. It 
is obvious that current policies have successfully established a 
thriving, renewable fuels market. We should now focus on policy that 
will develop commercial cellulosic ethanol and allow new markets to 
drive production.

                              {time}  1500

  New proposed initiatives are extremely ambitious and can only be 
achieved with contributions from all areas of the agriculture sector, 
including grains, plants, trees and wood waste, vegetable oil, and 
animal fat and waste.
  The 2002 farm bill included the first-ever energy title with programs 
to help renewable fuel producers purchase and expand operations and 
purchase feedstocks and also established programs to make grants and 
loans to farmers, ranchers and small businesses to purchase renewable 
energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements on farming 
operations.
  The energy title of the House's 2007 farm bill builds on the 2002 
bill by providing nearly $3 billion to promote the commercial 
production of cellulosic ethanol. These initiatives will help farmers 
and forest owners by creating new markets and income opportunities to 
keep them on the land and keep their land working. At the same time, 
greater focus on cellulosic feedstocks can reduce our reliance on corn 
for renewable fuels.
  Increased development of renewable energy opens new markets for our 
Nation's producer; provides consumers with a safe, sustainable, 
environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy; and decreases 
our Nation's dependency on foreign oil.
  25x'25 is a vision we can all get behind, as 600 groups already have, 
including agriculture and forestry groups, as well as business and 
environmental organizations. Over 20 of our Nation's Governors, along 
with 72 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, have recognized that this 
is a goal, though challenging, that is worth striving for.
  I encourage my colleagues to join us in recognizing the important 
role American agriculture plays in domestic energy production and work 
with us to turn the goal of 25x'25 into a reality.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden), the chairman 
of the Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research Subcommittee.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time 
and thank him for his leadership and that of Mr. Goodlatte, leadership 
in his role as ranking member and former chairman of the committee, on 
this very important issue.
  Madam Speaker, we have an energy crisis in this country, and we need 
to take advantage of our own natural resources. This piece of 
legislation before us today is going to address the resources under our 
jurisdiction as members of the Ag Committee, but I would be negligent 
as a proud son of the coal regions of Pennsylvania, the anthracite coal 
fields, if I didn't mention that I hope that future pieces of 
legislation that come before this body also address the opportunity of 
coal-to-liquid, how we need to take advantage of the vast resources 
that we have in coal in this country.
  I would say to those who criticize the environmental aspects of coal-
to-liquid to just come to my home in St. Clair, Pennsylvania, in 
Schuykill County and look at 200-to 300-foot comb banks, waste coal, 
that can be cleaned up and made into liquid fuel. So I hope in future 
proceedings before this House we're able to address that.
  But I stand here proudly as a member of the Ag Committee and chairman 
of the Energy Subcommittee, in cooperation with my chairman and ranking 
member, to support this legislation.
  As was mentioned by the chairman and the ranking member, we have an 
abundance of agriculture resources that we need to take advantage of in 
this country; and if we do not, we will remain to be dependent on the 
smooth, continuous flow of oil out of the Persian Gulf and Mexico and 
Venezuela. We have an opportunity to do something beginning today.
  As we were writing the 2007 Ag bill, members of my subcommittee, we 
traveled to Penn State, to NC State, to the USDA labs and looked at the 
research that is being done on cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel; and 
when you look at the possibilities of the entire country, not one 
region excluding another, having the ability to participate in a move 
towards energy independence, when we look at cellulosic ethanol or 
biodiesel in the feedstocks that are so abundant, it's absolutely 
imperative that we take advantage of those and pass this legislation 
today.
  As the ranking member mentioned, in the energy title we have in 
excess of a $2 billion loan guarantee program to help this infant 
industry take hold and allow the people on Wall Street, the investors, 
the private sector to be partners with the government as we move this 
forward.
  So, Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation 
and urge its adoption.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kagen), a 
new member of our committee who has been a leader on this issue as well 
as many others.
  Mr. KAGEN. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Peterson and thank Ranking 
Member Goodlatte for allowing me to participate on a bipartisan 
committee, a committee whose example should be followed by the 
remainder of this Chamber. It has been a great pleasure for me to 
participate on this Agriculture Committee.
  My home State of Wisconsin has been a leader on this issue of 
renewable energy. Why? Because we need an energy policy today that is 
not put together behind closed doors but out in the open, in a 
committee forum and here on the House floor.
  Wisconsin has established its own renewable energy standard of 10 
percent renewable by 2015, and judging by today's oil price that may 
reach $85 per barrel, it can't come too soon.
  This resolution of 25x'25, which I'm a proud cosponsor of, indicates 
our Nation's desire to become energy independent. By declaring our 
intent to provide 25 percent of our Nation's energy from renewable 
sources by 2025, we're taking a critical step in securing the energy 
and environmental needs of our future generations.
  As a member of the Ag Committee, I know the potential of our farms, 
the potential of our forests, especially in northern Wisconsin, and the 
potential of our working lands across the country. If we achieve the 
goals outlined in this resolution, we will not only provide for our 
Nation's energy requirements, but we'll also develop innovative 
industries and supply countless numbers of new jobs in this developing 
field of renewable energy and at the same time will continue to 
guarantee that we will all serve our Nation well as a leader in the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, it is no surprise today that we need a new energy 
policy, and this is a great start to a great new beginning.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I am now pleased to yield 
such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from South Dakota (Ms. 
Herseth Sandlin) who has been a leader on renewable energy in her State 
and in the country for a long time.

[[Page H11506]]

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Minnesota for yielding.
  I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 25, 
commonly referred to by my constituents, and it sounds like the 
constituents of many others, as 25x'25. I'm an original cosponsor of 
this resolution, and I commend Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member 
Goodlatte for their superb leadership on advancing this important 
resolution, on the overall issue of advancing renewable energy in 
American agriculture, and for their efforts in bringing this 
legislation to the floor today.
  This resolution is as bold as it is straightforward. It simply states 
the United States expects our Nation's agricultural, forestry and 
working land to provide from renewable resources and sustainable 
resources not less than 25 percent of total U.S. energy consumption by 
2025, while continuing to produce the world's safest, most abundant, 
most affordable food and feed. This goal is both exciting and 
achievable, and rural America stands ready to assume the challenge. 
Today's resolution compels us as a Nation to consider, to devise, and 
to implement a strategy for realizing this critical goal.
  In recent years, we've taken important incremental steps in support 
of renewable energy. The most significant and positive example of this 
commitment was the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which 
contained the first-ever renewable fuel standard, long advocated by 
Chairman Peterson and many others in this Chamber and in the Senate, a 
national mandate for the usage of renewable energy; and it has been a 
resounding success.
  In 2004, we produced less than 3.5 billion gallons of ethanol in the 
United States. By the end of this calendar year, we'll have the 
capacity to produce more than 7 billion gallons of clean, renewable, 
domestically grown ethanol in this country.
  This forward-looking and innovative policy has enabled the U.S. 
ethanol industry to more than double its production capacity in only 3 
years; and the benefits to the economy, to consumers and to the 
environment have been tremendous; and as the ranking member noted, with 
the advancements in cellulosic ethanol, every region of the country 
will soon benefit as so many States have already done.
  According to a recent study by LECG, a global expert services firm, 
the combination of spending for annual operations, ethanol 
transportation and capital spending for new plants under construction 
added $41.9 billion of gross output to the American economy in 2006 
alone, over $1 billion of that in my home State of South Dakota. Even 
more important, much of this economic benefit has been realized by 
small communities in rural areas that have faced considerable economic 
challenges in recent decades.
  Moreover, oil imports are the single largest component of our 
Nation's expanding trade deficit. The production of nearly 5 billion 
gallons of ethanol in 2006 means that last year the U.S. imported 206 
million fewer barrels of oil, valued at more than $11 billion, than 
would have been the case without ethanol.
  Finally, the environmental benefits of using renewable fuels abound. 
The use of 10 percent ethanol blends reduces greenhouse gas emissions 
by 12 to 19 percent compared with conventional gasoline. Ethanol 
reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent, 
and tailpipe fine particulate matter emissions by as much as 50 
percent. In 2004 alone, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced CO2-
equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7 million tons, equal 
to removing the annual emissions of more than 1 million cars from the 
road.
  That's why this resolution and this entire debate are so important. 
Congress is currently considering new energy policy legislation, 
providing us an opportunity to build on the policies of 2 years ago. In 
the coming weeks, I'm hopeful that we'll finalize this energy bill and 
send it to the President, but we must take this opportunity to be bold.
  The final bill should certainly contain initiatives to promote energy 
conservation, but it must also require that we increase our domestic 
production of renewable energy, both in the electricity sector and in 
the transportation sector.
  The success of our initial renewable energy mandate indicates the 
wisdom of that policy and demonstrates the need to be even bolder, even 
more forward looking and even more committed to achieving energy 
independence in this country.
  This resolution today clearly outlines an appropriately aggressive 
goal for our country over the next 18 years and recognizes the role of 
American agriculture, and I look forward to working with my colleagues 
to making the aspirations a reality.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I just want to again thank 
my good friend Mr. Goodlatte for his leadership on this issue and the 
rest of the members of our committee who have worked very hard. We've 
produced a farm bill that is going to do our part in getting this 
country off of energy independence.
  I also want to thank our leadership, especially Speaker Pelosi for 
her leadership on this issue.
  As I said, we have a tremendous opportunity in rural America and 
agriculture with this whole effort to get energy independent in this 
country, and this resolution will help us by establishing that goal.
  In Minnesota, where I'm proud to be from, we have led the way. I was 
just at a grand opening on Friday of a new plant that's turning turkey 
manure into electricity, and we have had mandates in Minnesota in 
ethanol and biodiesel, electricity, and it works.
  We've had a tremendous economic development that's come about because 
of the renewable energy industry that we've developed in Minnesota. So 
we're proud on the Ag Committee of our work, and we urge our colleagues 
to join us in supporting H. Con. Res. 25.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 25, expressing the sense of Congress that it is 
the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the 
agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should 
provide from renewable resources not less than 25 percent of the total 
energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, 
abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. I am proud to join over 
70 of my colleagues in cosponsoring this important legislation. I would 
like to thank my distinguished colleague Congressman Peterson for 
introducing this bill, as well for his leadership on this issue as the 
Chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
  Madam Speaker, the issue of energy is not only a critical economic 
issue, it is an urgent national security issue which has reached crisis 
proportions. With gasoline prices at record levels, the American people 
are suffering for our dependence on foreign oil.
  In addition to being from the energy capital of the world, for the 
past 12 years I have been the Chair of the Energy Braintrust of the 
Congressional Black Caucus. During this time, I have hosted a variety 
of energy braintrusts designed to bring in all of the relevant players 
ranging from environmentalists to producers of energy from a variety of 
sectors including coal, electric, natural gas, nuclear, oil, and 
alternative energy sources as well as energy producers from West 
Africa. My energy braintrusts were designed to be a call of action to 
all of the sectors who comprise the American and international energy 
industry, to the African American community, and to the nation as a 
whole.
  Energy is the lifeblood of every economy, especially ours. Producing 
more of it leads to more good jobs, cheaper goods, lower fuel prices, 
and greater economic and national security. Bringing together 
thoughtful yet disparate voices to engage each other on the issue of 
energy independence has resulted in the beginning of a transformative 
dialectic which can ultimately result in reforming our energy industry 
to the extent that we as a nation achieve energy security and energy 
independence.
  This Congress has demonstrated its commitment to taking our Nation in 
a new direction, toward energy security and away from dependence on 
foreign oil. Today, we are considering legislation, known as the ``25 
by '25 proposal,'' that expresses the sense of Congress that the goal 
of the U.S. is that America's farms, forests, and ranches provide 25% 
of the total energy consumed in America from renewable resources by 
2025, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, 
feed, and fiber.
  Madam Speaker, we live in a nation of extraordinary resources. As 
world oil prices continue to soar, now reaching a record $86 per 
barrel, it is vital that harness our vast resources here at home. This 
legislation lays out

[[Page H11507]]

an ambitious goal, one which will require innovation and new thinking 
about national priorities. However, I believe that the goal of 
producing 25% of America's energy from renewable resources is well 
worth aiming for.
  Renewable energy can be harnessed in every one of America's 50 
States. It can come from resources including wind, solar, hydropower, 
and biofuels, and it is currently the fastest growing energy sector. In 
particular, ethanol introduces the possibility that we can produce 25% 
of our projected gasoline use in 2025 from farm and forest resources, 
including many waste materials.
  Both the House and the Senate have taken an important first step 
toward achieving this critical goal by passing comprehensive and 
bipartisan energy security measures. These initiatives have included 
critical proposals aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign oil; 
lowering energy costs through greater efficiency, cleaner energy, and 
smarter technology; creating new American jobs; and reducing global 
warming.
  Madam Speaker, the legislation we are considering today has the 
support of a broad range of farm organizations, along with leaders from 
business, labor, conservation, environmental, and religious groups. It 
sets an ambitious but achievable goal, and will make important strides 
toward achieving energy independence. I strongly urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be an original 
cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 25, which calls for 25 percent of America's 
energy supply to come from agriculture and rural based renewable energy 
sources by 2025. This 25x25 approach is a worthy goal.
  Renewable energy holds wonderful promise for rural America, which can 
benefit exponentially from these trends. Production of renewable fuels 
and renewable energy meets multiple policy objectives. It decreases 
America's reliance on foreign sources of energy, creates new farm 
income, and fosters good stewardship of resources.
  Clearly, Nebraska is a leader in America's renewable energy future. 
We will soon be the second leading producer of ethanol in the Nation, 
and we are home to cutting edge technologies that are producing 
renewable fuels and electricity from wastes at animal feeding 
operations. In addition, developments in biomass and wind energy are 
very encouraging. This kind of innovation will only continue to grow as 
more of America's energy comes from renewable sources.
  Madam Speaker, America's renewable energy future is now. This is a 
very exciting opportunity for our farmers to lead the way for clean, 
environmentally-friendly energy production. I urge my colleagues to 
support H. Con. Res. 25.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 25.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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