59-006

59-006

1st Session

Part 1
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT IT IS THE GOAL OF THE UNITED STATES THAT, NOT 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

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 25]

The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 25) expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not 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, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.

BRIEF SUMMARY

H. Con. Res. 25 expresses the Sense of Congress that the goal of the United States, not later than January 1, 2025, that the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States should provide not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States.

The resolution further provides that, along with the production of energy, the United States should continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.

PURPOSE AND NEED

The official title of the resolution as introduced is: `Expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not 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.'

H. Con. Res. 25, also known as 25x'25, recognizes that it is in the best interest of the United States to utilize its own agricultural and forestry resources to meet rapidly growing domestic and energy demands, rather than to depend upon energy imported from other regions of the world. Sources of renewable energy exist in every one of the 50 states. These can be provided from resources such as wind, solar, hydro and biofuels. Renewable energy already produces 6 percent of America's total energy and by 2025 it is possible that it will produce 25% of our projected energy use, from farm and forest resources, including many waste materials. The 25x'25 vision sets a national goal, a vision of where we want to go to ensure a sustainable, secure energy future for ourselves and for future generations.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

I. Full Committee Consideration

The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with a quorum present, on May 17, 2007, to consider H. Con. Res. 25 and other pending legislation.

Members were recognized and each made a statement in support of the legislation. Counsel was also recognized for a brief explanation of the resolution.

Mr. Conaway was recognized to offer and explain an amendment to state that the market is best suited to determine which forms of renewable energy are the most effective and efficient. Discussion occurred and Mr. Boustany offered a second amendment to strike the word best. Further discussion occurred, and without objection, the Conaway amendment was withdrawn.

There being no more amendments, Mr. Goodlatte moved that H. Con. Res. 25 be reported favorably to the House with the recommendation that it pass.

By a voice vote, and in the presence of a quorum, H. Con. Res. 25 was ordered favorably reported to the House.

Chairman Peterson then advised Members that pursuant to the rules of the House of Representative that Members have 2 calendar days to file such views with the Committee. No Members came forth with intent to file additional views.

Without objection, staff was given permission to make any necessary clerical, technical or conforming changes to reflect the intent of the Committee.

Chairman Peterson thanked all the Members and adjourned the meeting subject to the call of the chair.

REPORTING THE BILL--ROLL CALL VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, H. Con. Res. 25 was reported by voice vote with a majority quorum present. There was no request for a recorded vote.

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE (SECTIONS 308, 402, AND 423)

The provisions of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (relating to estimates of new budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority, or increased or decreased revenues or tax expenditures) were not requested from the Congressional Budget Office as this resolution would result in no new costs to the Federal government. Therefore, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level under clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and sections 402 and 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for the relevant programs are not considered applicable.

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

H. Con. Res. 25 does not authorize funding, therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is inapplicable.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds the Constitutional authority for this legislation in Article I, clause 8, section 18, that grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers vested by Congress in the Constitution of the United States or in any department or officer thereof.

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H. Con. Res. 25 would result in no new costs to the Federal government.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this legislation.

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Con. Res. 25 contains no Federal mandates.

EARMARK STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CLAUSE 9 OF RULE XXI OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H. Con. Res. 25 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

H. Con. Res. 25 does not amend any existing Federal statue.