12/21/07 Update on 25x'25

Update on 25 x '25. I'm Greg Martin as Line On Agriculture presents the Harvest Clean Energy Report. The President has just signed the Energy Bill that will help pave the way for more renewable energy and energy saving measures. But this administration only has one year left in office. How does the future of clean energy measure up? Read Smith with the 25 x '25 organization says when it comes to the candidates, it's still a guess. SMITH: We want to see exactly what their positions are on these things and as of right now, what we're getting out of all of those folks along these kind of lines is really lip service. They are saying the right things at the right time but no solid proposals, no real positive initiatives, no meat. The 25x'25 organization has come out strongly saying this country needs to have 25% of our fuel come from renewables by the year 2025 and they want to hold the upcoming politicians accountable. SMITH: What we're attempting to do is to make this at least a secondary issue in the campaign to at least find out what their positions are on renewables and we've got our 600+ alliance members representing millions of people all of whom are very interested in what the candidates' positions are. The organization recently sent out a form to all the candidates, trying to get some idea about their positions. One of the issues on the front burner is the whole carbon footprint and carbon credit issue that no one had heard of 5 years ago. SMITH: Our group recognizes that there are also advantages in a carbon sensitive world to agriculture and forestry. There's just a number of ways where it doesn't have to be a liability but can actually be an asset. So if CO2 is going to be a regulated commodity, then I think our world needs to get ready for that. They have put together a carbon team to look at the issue from every angle. They held their first forum late last month to begin sharing thoughts and ideas on the issue. But what can the average Joe do to help. Over coffee one morning my wife and I were discussing why train travel has gone out of favor in the U.S. and if that wouldn't be part of a solution. SMITH: I'd be particularly interested in train travel if we could get the trains converted to biodiesel versus petroleum based diesel. But these are all little pieces and it goes way beyond that Greg, it goes to building efficiencies, right down to your appliances. There are a billion little pieces to this puzzle. For additional information on clean energy, visit harvestcleanenergy.org. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network. www.harvestcleanenergy.org