NCGA Calls House Passage of Energy Bill with RFS a Major Step Forward (4-21-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is calling today’s 249-183 House passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 a major step forward in the legislative process to get an energy bill to the president’s desk this year.  The comprehensive energy legislation includes a renewable fuels standard (RFS) that calls for 5 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended into the nation’s transportation fuel supply by 2012.

“Today’s action by the House is a critical step in having an energy policy enacted this year,” said NCGA First Vice President Gerald Tumbleson. “We thank Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas) for his diligence in securing a balanced bill that addresses our energy security, stimulates economic growth, creates thousands of jobs and highlights the importance of renewable fuels for our future.”

In addition to a 5-billion-gallon RFS, provisions in the bill include:

Tumbleson noted that although the RFS is important to corn growers, the provisions that expand natural gas supplies and other energy sources are also vital to the industry.

“Farmers have already felt adverse effects in their production costs from the continual increase in natural gas prices,” he said. “Consumers are feeling the pinch at gas stations across the country. This country needs a solution that will expand our domestic sources of energy while also expanding our economy. President Bush said very clearly this week that he wants a comprehensive energy bill on his desk for signing by the time Congress recesses this summer. Today’s House action brings us a step closer to that reality.”

Last reviewed April 21, 2005