Kagen Protects Wisconsin In Proposed Energy Legislation
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KAGEN PROTECTS WISCONSIN
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May 15, 2009 |
| Appleton, WI — Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is protecting Wisconsin’s agriculture and forestry industries as Congress drafts new climate change legislation. Kagen is an original co-sponsor of a bill that will benefit Wisconsin producers of biofuels as we move our nation towards energy independence.
Kagen joined a bipartisan group of 42 Members of Congress led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas on legislation to correct flawed provisions in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that are limiting the potential for clean, homegrown renewable biofuels to meet our nation’s energy needs. The Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act (H.R. 2409) strikes the definition of renewable biomass in Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and replaces it with the Farm Bill definition that was developed with consultation from relevant agencies and other committees during a formal conference process. The farm bill definition is inclusive to ensure regional equity and allows for the responsible use of biomass from private and federal lands. This definition allows for a broader definition of biofuels, including biofuels developed from materials gathered from federal lands – like Chequamegon-Nicolet. A broader definition allows Northeast Wisconsin’s small business and entrepreneurs to participate in this shift to renewable energy using the resources that exist in Wisconsin – rather than the EISA definition, which favored certain types of biofuels and areas of the nation. “To move our nation towards energy independence, we must make a significant investment in renewable sources of energy. I am working hard to make sure that investment will come home to Northeast Wisconsin,” said Kagen. Kagen is the only member of Congress from Wisconsin on the House Agriculture Committee. |
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