03/08/07 The 25 x 25 Action Plan

Farm and Ranch March 8, 2007 Leaders from a broad alliance of agricultural, energy, environmental, business and labor groups recently presented policymakers with a set of specific recommendations for reaching an ambitious renewable energy goal: 25 percent of the nation`s energy supply from renewable sources by 2025. The 25x`25 Action Plan: Charting America`s Energy Future contains 35 specific recommendations. They include: Expanded research and development for cellulosic biofuels and long-term incentives for renewable electricity generation. New infrastructure for expanding delivery of renewable fuels and renewable energy; a new program to ensure increased availability of flex-fueled cars. Increased support for existing conservation programs and for renewable energy in the Farm Bill. In an interview before the action plan was unveiled, 25x25 co-chair, Washington farmer Read Smith called this effort a participatory sport. Smith: "We are creating state alliances. That is an opportunity for interested people in each state that want to be involved, that want to help and participate, to be involved. I would encourage you all to get involved. To be part of the solution. To encourage your decision makers, you members of Congress, your state legislatures, your county commissioners, your mayors, to take a watchful eye towards their decisions on renewable energy and promote them as best they can. And we will all get their quick if we all do that." Find all the details on the 25x25 Action Plan at www.25x25.org I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.