[House Report 110-344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Rept. 110-344
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session Part 1
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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
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September 24, 2007.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 25]
The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred 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, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and
recommends that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.
BRIEF SUMMARY
H. Con. Res. 25 expresses the Sense of Congress that the
goal of the United States, not later than January 1, 2025, that
the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United
States should provide not less than 25 percent of the total
energy consumed in the United States.
The resolution further provides that, along with the
production of energy, the United States should continue to
produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
PURPOSE AND NEED
The official title of the resolution as introduced is:
``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.''
H. Con. Res. 25, also known as 25x'25, recognizes that it
is in the best interest of the United States to utilize its own
agricultural and forestry resources to meet rapidly growing
domestic and energy demands, rather than to depend upon energy
imported from other regions of the world. Sources of renewable
energy exist in every one of the 50 states. These can be
provided from resources such as wind, solar, hydro and
biofuels. Renewable energy already produces 6 percent of
America's total energy and by 2025 it is possible that it will
produce 25% of our projected energy use, from farm and forest
resources, including many waste materials. The 25x'25 vision
sets a national goal, a vision of where we want to go to ensure
a sustainable, secure energy future for ourselves and for
future generations.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
I. Full Committee Consideration
The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with
a quorum present, on May 17, 2007, to consider H. Con. Res. 25
and other pending legislation.
Members were recognized and each made a statement in
support of the legislation. Counsel was also recognized for a
brief explanation of the resolution.
Mr. Conaway was recognized to offer and explain an
amendment to state that the market is best suited to determine
which forms of renewable energy are the most effective and
efficient. Discussion occurred and Mr. Boustany offered a
second amendment to strike the word best. Further discussion
occurred, and without objection, the Conaway amendment was
withdrawn.
There being no more amendments, Mr. Goodlatte moved that H.
Con. Res. 25 be reported favorably to the House with the
recommendation that it pass.
By a voice vote, and in the presence of a quorum, H. Con.
Res. 25 was ordered favorably reported to the House.
Chairman Peterson then advised Members that pursuant to the
rules of the House of Representative that Members have 2
calendar days to file such views with the Committee. No Members
came forth with intent to file additional views.
Without objection, staff was given permission to make any
necessary clerical, technical or conforming changes to reflect
the intent of the Committee.
Chairman Peterson thanked all the Members and adjourned the
meeting subject to the call of the chair.
REPORTING THE BILL--ROLL CALL VOTES
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, H. Con. Res. 25 was reported by voice vote
with a majority quorum present. There was no request for a
recorded vote.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture's
oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the
body of this report.
BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE (SECTIONS 308, 402, AND 423)
The provisions of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (relating to estimates of new
budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority,
or increased or decreased revenues or tax expenditures) were
not requested from the Congressional Budget Office as this
resolution would result in no new costs to the Federal
government. Therefore, the Committee advises that the
resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no
comparison of the total estimated funding level under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and sections 402 and 423 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 for the relevant programs are not considered
applicable.
PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
H. Con. Res. 25 does not authorize funding, therefore,
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is inapplicable.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the
Constitutional authority for this legislation in Article I,
clause 8, section 18, that grants Congress the power to make
all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers
vested by Congress in the Constitution of the United States or
in any department or officer thereof.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H. Con. Res.
25 would result in no new costs to the Federal government.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Con. Res. 25 contains no Federal mandates.
EARMARK STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CLAUSE 9 OF RULE XXI OF THE RULES OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. Con. Res. 25 does not contain any congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
H. Con. Res. 25 does not amend any existing Federal statue.