Agriculture Energy Coalition Statement on Senate Ag Committee Farm Bill Draft

Today, the Agriculture Energy Coalition reacted to a new draft of Farm Bill legislation from Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS). The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 reauthorizes the Energy Title programs, but provides insufficient funding to ensure their success.

Lloyd Ritter, director of the Agriculture Energy Coalition, states:

“The energy title has been a vital part of the Farm Bill since 2002, helping farms, ranches and rural businesses contribute to America’s energy renaissance. With a federal commitment of less than a tenth of one percent of total farm bill spending, the programs could continue to help rural communities create new jobs, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. The programs have leveraged more than $5 billion in private investment since 2009.

“The Ag Energy Coalition thanks the Senate Agriculture Committee for proposing to reauthorize the energy title and programs as well as for including some very important changes recommended by the Coalition that will open the programs to innovative new technologies. The Coalition urges a significant increase in mandatory funding and additional progress to improve and make programs more equitable. We look forward to working with the Committee and the Senate to ensure the energy title programs’ continued success.”

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