President Bush signs energy bill; sets 25x'25 as America's energy goal

Major energy legislation that includes 25x'25 as America's energy goal was signed into law today by President Bush. Congressional leaders and Cabinet members joined the president for the formal signing ceremonies at U.S. Department of Energy headquarters this morning.

The measure expresses the sense of the Congress that "it is the goal of the United States that no later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry and working land of the United States should provide from renewable resources not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber."

In a joint statement, 25x'25 National Steering Committee Co-Chairman Bill Richards and Read Smith said congressional adoption of the 25x'25 vision and it's enactment by President Bush show "bold leadership in addressing the challenge of our future energy needs. Their action reflects the desire by the American people to improve our national security by reducing our dependency on foreign oil; enhancing our environment and boosting our economy, particularly in rural areas."

A study done by the University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural Economics says that by reaching the 25x'25 goal, the nation will experience:

--An increase of $700 billion in new economic activity annually by 2025.

--Four to five million new jobs.

--A reduction in oil consumption by 2.5 million barrels per day - 10 percent of U.S. projected consumption in 2025.

--A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion tons - two thirds of all projected emissions growth by 2025.

--An estimated cumulative savings in government payments of $15 billion dollars. This does not include potential savings in fixed/direct or Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments.

--A decrease in gasoline consumption by 59 billion gallons in 2025.

--Enough energy from biomass, wind, solar geothermal and hydro sources to replace the growing demand for natural gas, diesel and/or coal-generated electricity.

--A significant decrease in the nation's reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil, enhancing national security.

The energy bill also raises fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks by 40 percent and hikes the renewable fuels standard to 36 billion gallons by 2022, including 21 billion gallons that must come from biomass other than corn starch and achieve a minimum 50-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the bill demands greater energy efficiency of appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers, and a 70 percent increase in the efficiency of light bulbs. And it calls for energy efficiency improvements in federal building and new efficiency standards for construction of new commercial buildings with an aim that they produce as much electricity as they use. The 25x'25 Action Plan: Charting America's Energy Future, a set of 35 policy recommendations to Congress for reaching the 25x'25 energy goal, cites efficiency is "the option of first choice." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, said that "with the stroke of a pen" the United States is on "a path to save more than 4 million barrels of oil per day by 2030 ... [and] cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 25 percent."

The 25x'25 Alliance, with more than 600 agriculture, forestry, environmental, energy, business, labor and government partners, has contributed to a changed political environment in Washington and will be working with other renewable energy champions in 2008 to bring the 25x'25 vision to life. With a clear goal, the 25x'25 Initiative is mobilizing a broader range of constituencies, including state level 25x'25 alliances, to support a new energy future that will sustain the nation's resource base and protect the environment; boost the use of woody biomass; meet biofuel and electricity infrastructure challenges; and clarify the role agriculture and forestry can play in reducing and capturing greenhouse gas emissions ? all while improving soil, water and air quality, and wildlife habitat; lowering the costs of energy; and improving economic and national security.

To learn more about 25x'25, go to www.25x25.org; or contact Bill Eby at 912-495-9584, or by e-mail at BEby@25x25.org.

1/7/08
3 Star CO\6-B

Date: 1/2/08

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