WASHINGTON, DC, US, May 23, 2007.
The agriculture committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has adopted a resolution that calls for 25% of the country’s energy to come from renewables by 2025.
The 25x'25 measure now moves to the House committees on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration. The resolution is also pending in the U.S. Senate. Currently, the House resolution (H. Con. Res. 25) has 63 co-sponsors while the Senate version (S. Con. Res. 3) has 32 co-sponsors to date.
The chairman of the House agriculture committee, Collin Peterson (D-MN) and ranking member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) are lead sponsors, with representatives Mark Udall (D-CO) and Zach Wamp (R-TN). In the Senate, lead sponsors include Barack Obama (D-IL), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and agriculture committee chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).
“The 25x’25 resolution is a statement of our commitment to support the development of renewable energy sources,” says House agriculture committee chair Collin Peterson. “I believe that we can not only meet but exceed the goal of 25% by 2025, but every journey starts with a first step, and this resolution is a very important first step that we can take to achieving energy independence.”
The concurrent resolutions are the first step in achieving the 25x'25 vision which was presented to congressional leaders in February, with 35 recommended actions that would cost only 5% of what the U.S. spends on imported oil. The benefits would include increases of five million new jobs and US$700 billion in new economic activity a year, while significantly reducing oil consumption and global warming emissions.
“This resolution defines a new energy future for our nation,” explains Bill Richards of the 25x'25 steering committee. “It's a firm goal on the way to a secure energy future.”
The initiative has bipartisan support in Congress, and represents rural and urban constituencies with 500 supporters from farm, forestry, business, environmental and labour sectors, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Forest Resources Association, Natural Resources Defense Council and the top three U.S. car manufacturers. The coalition also includes one third of U.S. governors and nine state legislatures.
“We're grateful to members of the House agriculture committee for moving the resolution and providing momentum that will carry this vision through Congress this year,” adds steering committee co-chair Read Smith. “The members who have sponsored the resolution understand its importance to the nation's energy future and we look forward to working with them to advance the 25x'25 goal and the enabling policies that will bring this vision to life.”
