SUBCOMMITTEE CONDUCTS HEARING ON RENEWABLE FUELS FOR FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

SUBCOMMITTEE CONDUCTS HEARING ON
RENEWABLE FUELS FOR FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

    WASHINGTON – The House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology today held a hearing on the topic of renewable fuels and renewable energy policy. The hearing centered on the importance of renewable fuels in reducing America's energy demands. Small business owners have been impacted significantly by the rising cost of energy.

    "The United States must develop a national energy policy that is mindful of the needs of businesses, the environment, and the realities of future energy supplies," U.S. Representative Tom Udall (D-NM), ranking member of the subcommittee said. "Unfortunately, the energy policies advanced by the Bush Administration – especially in the area of renewable energy and conservation – has failed to address these three basic components."

    According to Udall, the Administration has proposed to cut $700 million from the Department of Energy in FY2002 budget, a reduction estimated to represent as much as a 30% reduction in energy efficiency and renewable programs. Specifically, the President's budget proposal would slash solar and renewables funding under DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) from $373.2 million in FY2001 to $237.5 million (excluding funding for programs under the Office of Science) – a decrease of $137.5 million (36%) below the FY2001 level. Some of these cuts were later restored during consideration of the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill.

    More than 60 renewable energy and energy conservation bills have been introduced during the 107th Congress. During the hearing Udall highlighted one of his measures, the Small Business and Farm Energy Policy Emergency Relief Act of 2001 (H.R. 1010). This bill creates a small business loan program that can support renewable energy alternatives. Udall said that it is imperative that the Small Business Committee act on his bill expediently. The Senate Small Business Committee approved Senator John Kerry's (D-MA) version of the bill in March.

    "Sky-high heating and cooling fuel bills are making it tough for small businesses to survive across the country," Udall said. "Soaring energy prices have the potential to hurt job markets and unravel our economic stability. This legislation is a lifeline for small business owners who might be a heating fuel payment away from going out of business or laying off an employee."

    Udall is in a unique role to examine the Bush energy policy because he also serves on the House Resources Committee. During a six-hour mark-up last week of the Energy Security Act (H.R. 2436), members of the Committee attempted to offer amendments to the legislation to make it more conservation-centered and strip away controversial elements. Unfortunately, most of those amendments were defeated. The legislation will be considered by the full House soon.

    "I am pleased that we have held this hearing today to examine how energy issues are affecting farmers and small businesses. It is my hope that in a bipartisan manner we can create a national energy plan that is truly supported by small businesses, consumers and industry alike. Unfortunately, the Bush plan, as currently drafted, is not the one," Udall concluded.

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