01/14/09 Ag groups want alternative energy funding in stimulus package

Farm and Ranch January 14, 2009 A diverse coalition of 34 business, agriculture and environmental groups is asking Congressional leaders to support an economic recovery package that provides strong funding for agriculture-based, clean energy development programs. One request is for 1.2 billion dollars in additional annual funding for USDA farm bill energy title program spending. One of those programs will help build advanced biofuel production facilities, such as cellulosic ethanol plants, something Mark Gaede, Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Wheat Growers says his organization is very interested in as wheat straw can be a feedstock. Gaede: "This technology has the potential to help our farmers diversify and strengthen their operations while helping the U.S. to become more energy independent and helping the environment." In a teleconference with reporters Gaede related the story of Iogen and their plan for a commercial cellulosic plant in southern Idaho. The company ultimately decided to build in Canada instead. Gaede: "So for all those reasons we need the resources that we are calling for in the letter to be actually obligated so we can get this stuff on the ground and get this industry up and running." In addition to increased program funding the coalition is also asking for extension and revision of production tax credits and extension and expansion of successful clean renewable energy and conservation bond programs. I'm Bob Hoff and that' the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.