Advanced Energy

The advancement of energy technology and changes to the national energy portfolio continue to be a critical issue for Appalachian Ohio. In addition to the imperative need for our nation to wean ourselves off our dependence on foreign oil and invest in domestic sources, alternative energy holds the potential to be a great economic driver for the region. Changes in how we produce our energy can stimulate economic growth and new opportunities for jobs in the region. Congressman Space is working hard to ensure that Ohio is among the nation’s leaders in green jobs.

To help make Appalachian Ohio part of the national movement towards alternative sources of energy, Congressman Space introduced an amendment to HR 799, legislation to reauthorize the Appalachian Regional Commission, that authorized an additional $48 million for alternative energy investments in Appalachian regions. This commitment ensures that Appalachian Ohio will be a part of the alternative energy and our nation’s rapidly evolving energy portfolio.

Congressman Space also helped craft a part of the Farm Bill that includes significant new investment into alternative Energy. As a Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Space voted in committee for legislation that:

• Provides loan guarantee authority for biorefineries, with half going to loans less than $100 million, and the other half for loans up to $250 million.
• Provides $10 million to continue the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
• Increases funding for the Renewable Energy & Efficiency Improvements Program, to be renamed the Rural Energy for America Program, over the 5 years included in the 2007 Farm Bill.
• Provides funding to continue the Bioenergy Program, which provides production incentives for increases in production of ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural and forestry crops and associated waste materials, including animal manure and livestock/food processing waste.
• Establishes a program to encourage the production of feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol and other energy production and provides for 5 year contracts for producers to grow dedicated energy crops.

Additionally, Congressman Space voted repeatedly for landmark energy legislation that would have made record investments into advancing our nation’s energy portfolio. The final bill passed into law included new mandates for efficiencies for automobiles, buildings, and appliances, and also included mandates for renewable fuel production. Opposition from the White House forced important provisions that Congressman Space supported out of the bill, including provisions that would have repealed unneeded tax subsidies for oil companies and targeted them towards renewable energy production. Congressman Space will continue to support these provisions that will help to move our country forward.