03 Dec 2007
The New York State Senate has endorsed the National 25x'25 Initiative, recently passing a resolution sponsored by Senator Jim Wright that calls on America's farms, ranches and forestlands to meet 25 percent of the nation's energy needs by 2025. The 25x'25 Initiative was created in 2004 by farm and forestry leaders and is now endorsed by more than 600 agricultural, business, energy, environmental and government organizations across the country. The resolution adopted by the State Senate calls for policies that enable U.S. agriculture to develop renewable energy resources, including biomass, biofuels, wind energy, solar power, geothermal energy and hydropower, while continuing to provide safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber. "The development of new energy technologies benefits our local economies, our environment and our nation's security," said Senator Wright, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications. "As we look to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and fossil-based fuels, farmers and foresters—the foremost stewards of the land—are uniquely positioned to be leaders in the development of renewable energy sources, such as biodiesel, wind energy, methane gas produced from farm waste and beyond."Nathan Rudgers, former New York State Agriculture Commissioner and a member of the National 25x'25 Steering Committee, expressed the alliance's gratitude to Senator Wright and other resolution sponsors, calling the State Senate vote an important first step on the road to a new energy future. "This action demonstrates that key New York policymakers recognize the crucial role that our state's farms, ranches and forests can play in improving energy security while enhancing the environment and strengthening our economy," said Rudgers, adding that the resolution "sets a firm goal on the way to a secure energy future."New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln, who chairs the New York State 25x'25 Alliance, said, "This initiative helps ensure our farm families' economic viability through their participation in what can only be described as an alternative energy revolution. Senator Wright and the State Senate has shown true leadership in making sure farmers play a role in the future of our country’s energy independence through alternative energy development in New York."The Senate resolution recognizes the benefits to the state's economy that expansion of bioenergies could bring as new industries emerge and new jobs are created to develop, construct, install and run these systems. In addition, the resolution recognizes the environmental benefits of using clean energy, including a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.Senator Wright is a long-time advocate for the development of renewable energy sources and recently introduced a bill that increases the amount of energy farmers are allowed to net meter from wind turbines. Under current law, which was originally authored by Senator Wright, farms can net meter up to 10 kilowatts of energy produced by turbines; Senator Wright's latest bill would increase that allowance to 25 kilowatts.Earlier this month, Senator Wright announced he is sponsoring legislation that expands net metering of solar energy to all classes of utility customers, including commercial, industrial, municipal and non-profit. Wright has previously supported and sponsored other net metering laws that allow residential customers to net meter wind and solar power, and he sponsored a law that allows farmers to net meter energy produced from farm waste. Over the last two years, Senator Wright has been working on advancing a number of measures related to the development and production of biofuels. As part of the 2006-2007 state budget, he was successful in securing a biofuel production tax credit that provides a benefit of 15 cents per gallon after the first 40,000 gallons. He is working to expand the credit to 25 cents per gallon of cellulosic ethanol, which is made of materials such as switchgrass and willow. Also in the 2006 budget, Senator Wright secured $20 million in funding for research studies at institutions such as SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Clarkson University to advance the commercial development of biofuels. He also secured funding for Belleville Henderson Central School (Southern Jefferson County) to study, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the viability of growing willow trees in the Tug Hill region for use as a biofuel production feedstock.###
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