WASHINGTON, DC — Following the Senate Agriculture Committee’s approval of the 2013 Farm Bill, Tom Buis CEO of Growth Energy released the following statement:
“I commend the Senate Ag Committee for approving the 2013 Farm Bill. This legislation contains a number of important provisions to continue incentivizing the production of renewable fuels to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and help create American jobs.
“In particular, the inclusion of the energy title, which provides $900 million in mandatory funding to critical rural energy programs, will establish the certainty necessary for investors and businesses to operate with the confidence.
“By including programs such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, the Biorefinery Assistance Program and the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, the Senate Ag Committee has shown the importance of the development of renewable fuels and the critical role they play in maintaining a robust farm economy.
“Furthermore, the inclusion of Senator Donnelly’s and Senator Robert’s amendment to provide federal crop insurance for biomass and dedicated energy crops will improve risk management, establishing the safety net necessary for farmers to further invest in a diversified mix of energy crops.
“Now that the Senate Ag Committee has approved this measure, I urge their colleagues in the House of Representatives to follow suit. America’s farmers and energy producers need a Farm Bill in place that provides a level of certainty so they can move forward with their integral operations.”
# # #
About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now. For more information, please visit us at www.GrowthEnergy.org, follow us on Twitter @GrowthEnergy or connect with us on Facebook.