US Senate passes Farm Bill with energy title intact

In Washington, a bipartisan coalition of Senators rejected a series of amendments designed to reduce or eliminate the Farm Bill energy title, and passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, “I am grateful for the Senate’s progress toward providing a reformed safety net for producers in times of need, supporting agricultural research and trade promotion, honoring World Trade Organization commitments, furthering the bio-based economy, conserving our natural resources, strengthening local and regional food systems, and promoting job growth in rural America.  As the legislative process moves forward, the Administration will continue to seek policy solutions and savings consistent with the President’s Budget, and we are hopeful that the House of Representatives will produce a bill with those same goals in mind.”

In a statement, the Agriculture Energy Coalition thanked Senate Leaders Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kans.) for reauthorizing the Farm Bill with a strong Energy Title with mandatory funding, noting that “An ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy must include renewable energy and create opportunities for every region, especially rural areas. We look forward to working with the House as they move through the legislative process.”

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, stated, “Farm Bill energy programs play an essential role in helping new companies unlock private investment capital for construction of innovative biorefineries; putting underutilized farmland back into production of next-generation energy crops; and revitalizing rural America.”

BIO also provided a useful and informative “Farm Bill Energy Title: Timeline of a Successful Policy Initiative,” which can be downloaded here.