HR 7117

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution in support of the "25 by '25" initiative and
3	the increased production of renewable energy by the
4	agricultural community.
5
6	WHEREAS, the role of agriculture as an energy producer has
7	the potential to positively influence national security and
8	trade imbalances, and
9	WHEREAS, an affordable, reliable, and plentiful energy
10	supply is critical to the economy of Florida, which ranks third
11	nationally in total energy consumption and possesses vast
12	resources of renewable energy, and
13	WHEREAS, the development of a broad spectrum of renewable
14	energy sources, including biodiesel, biomass, methane digesters,
15	and ethanol, is not only immensely beneficial to the environment
16	but also provides multiple benefits to rural communities and
17	agricultural sectors by spawning additional markets for
18	agricultural commodities; increasing farm income; creating
19	added-value uses for crops, livestock, and their byproducts;
20	using marginal lands more productively; resolving air, water,
21	and soil quality problems that often arise from agricultural
22	operations; improving wildlife habitat; and creating new job
23	opportunities, and
24	WHEREAS, American agriculture is strategically positioned
25	to play an expanded role in developing and implementing new
26	energy solutions; and, with appropriate technological
27	innovation, incentives, and investments, this country's farms
28	and ranches could well become the factories that produce a new
29	generation of fuels to help meet the nation's energy needs, and
30	WHEREAS, "25 by '25" is an initiative that envisions
31	American farms and ranches meeting 25 percent of America's
32	energy demand by the year 2025, while continuing to produce
33	abundant, safe, and affordable food and fiber, and
34	WHEREAS, "Farm to Fuel" is an initiative designed to
35	encourage the use of Florida crops and biomass for production of
36	energy for the state's future energy stability, protection of
37	its environment, and continued viability of its agriculture
38	industry, NOW, THEREFORE,
39
40	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
41	Florida:
42
43	That the House of Representatives supports the vision of
44	"25 by '25," and encourages the production of renewable energy
45	and fuels by farms and ranches to help meet future energy needs.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.