News

25 X 25 keeps pushing renewable independence

BrownfieldAppImage

The co-chairman of the group 25 X 25 says after a decade of work, there continue to be challenges in making the U.S. more energy independent.

Nebraska farmer Bart Ruth tells Brownfield when the organization was created 10 years ago, the goal was that renewable resources would provide America 25 percent of its energy by the year 2025.

“Progress has been a little slow at various times because we’ve had tax incentives that are there one year, gone the next.  Public policy regarding ethanol and other biofuels was popular, but now the popularity has kind of waned.  So some of those things have been a challenge.”

Ruth says despite these and other challenges, progress has been made.

25 X 25 supports the use of renewable energy produced in a variety of ways.

“In the Midwest it’s obviously biofuels, in other areas it’s solar, wind power or biomass.  Even hydro has a role in certain parts of the country.”

Ruth says bioenergy benefits the entire nation.

“Whether it’s ethanol plants (or) biodiesel plants.  People building grain trailers or selling farm equipment.  That’s a very integral part of rural America, and we need to continue to stress the economic role that bioenergy plays.”

Ruth spoke to Brownfield at the recent NAFB Convention in Kansas City.

For more from the event, see our Special Reports page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!