A large group of Virginia farmers has signed onto a nationwide initiative to generate 25 percent of the country’s energy through renewable resources by 2025.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest agricultural organization representing 37,000 farmers, joined Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich and 12 other state governors this week in endorsing the 25 x ‘25 vision.
“We’ve become so efficient at feeding people, we also have the ability to fuel their engines, as well,” said Andrew Smith, VFBF senior assistant director of governmental relations.
Smith said VFBF signed onto the vision because renewable energy opens new markets for many different types of agricultural products — corn for ethanol, soy for biodiesel; even livestock waste can be converted to energy.
“I think the biggest opportunity we have in Virginia is biofuels, but certainly as we talk more about energy policy in the commonwealth, we’ll talk more about renewable energy,” he said.
Virginia already has a biodiesel conversion plant and the 2006 General Assembly approved several measures to invest in renewable energy technology and research.
“[Gov. Tim Kaine] joined the Ethanol Coalition and is very interested in making Virginia a player in that. It is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for farmers,” said Kevin Hall, a Kaine spokesman.
The state has not taken a position on the 25 x ‘25 vision, said a state Department of Agriculture representative.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, and more than 50 other senators and congressmen, introduced resolutions in both houses supporting the 25 x ‘25vision, said Sara Wyant, a 25 x ‘25 steering committee member and editor of the Agri-Pulse newsletter.
The country produces nearly 6 percent of its energy from wind, hydro, solar and biogas renewable sources, Wyant said, adding that the 25 percent goal is a stretch.
“If we put our mind to that stretch goal, we can do it,” Wyant said, by investing in existing technology, as well as new ideas, such as the currently expensive plant-conversion process that makes ethanol.
“If you want people to use renewable energy, the government needs to make an investment,” said Kim Hosen, Prince William Conservation Alliance director.
