Natural Resources Committee Home

October 30, 2007

Dear Chairman Harkin and Senator Chambliss:

On behalf of the nation’s governors, we appreciate the inclusion of energy programs in the 2007 Farm Bill. As the bill continues through the legislative process, we urge you to allocate the maximum feasible level of funding for the programs in Title IX.

If the nation is to pursue energy independence and meet the renewable fuels and energy security goals set forth by the President and Congress—as well as those recently adopted in many states—we must look beyond traditional biofuels production. Governors urge Congress to include a strong energy title as part of the Farm Bill that provides technical and financial assistance to expand the use of farm and forest biomass for renewable energy production.

As you know, local production of renewable biomass energy benefits the national economy, promotes national and regional energy security and stimulates the rural economy through the creation of high quality jobs. Encouraging such production will require increased federal investment in programs that support cellulosic biofuels research, increased biodiesel production and use, increases in wind and solar energy and energy from animal wastes, improvements in energy efficiency, bio-based product development, effective carbon storage, and other renewable technologies.

Increasing the pace of agriculture-based energy development is critical to increasing our nation’s security, protecting of the environment, and encouraging economic development in our rural communities. Our nation will benefit greatly from the expansion of bioenergy production, and the states are eager to forge a strong partnership with the federal government to ensure success. We look forward to working with you as the Senate moves forward with this important legislation.

Sincerely,