Is it doable?
President Bush Signs Energy Bill; Sets 25x'25 as America's Energy Goal
By: Press Release
12/20/2007 --
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.
