MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Rotenberry, Eaton, Baker (8th), Bondurant, Bounds, Chism, Cummings, Dedeaux, Fleming, Gunn, Montgomery, Moore, Moss, Read, Robinson (84th), Rogers (61st), Staples, Stringer, Sullivan, Upshaw, Warren, Woods, Arinder, Baker (74th), Davis, Franks, Holloway, Howell, Jennings, Markham, Reynolds, Smith (59th), Ward

House Concurrent Resolution 98

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO support the "25 by 25" initiative promoting agricultural-based renewable energy.

     WHEREAS, having an affordable, reliable, and plentiful energy supply is crucial to our economy, as well as to our national and international food supply; and

     WHEREAS, current and future risks to United States energy security are mounting, while domestic and global energy demands are escalating; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has tremendous renewable energy resources and affordable electric rates; and

     WHEREAS, the development of renewable energy sources, including wind power, biodiesel, biomass, methane digesters, ethanol and solar, benefits the environment and will have a direct economic benefit to agricultural landowners and rural communities only if electric rates do not increase; and

     WHEREAS, agricultural communities and their partners will experience multiple benefits, including establishing additional markets for agricultural commodities; increasing farm income; creating added-value uses for crops, livestock, and their byproducts; and creating new job opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, American agriculture is well positioned to play an expanded role in the development and implementation of new energy solutions; and

     WHEREAS, America's farms and ranches can become the factories that produce a new generation of fuels to help meet the nation's energy needs; and

     WHEREAS, "25 by 25" is an agriculturally led initiative that envisions America's farms and ranches producing 25% of America's energy demand by the year 2025, while continuing to produce abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture's role as an energy producer will have a positive effect on national security and trade imbalances and will serve as a catalyst for rural development in the State of Mississippi only if electric rates do not increase due to mandated renewables:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we, the members of the Mississippi Legislature, support and endorse the vision of "25 by 25," under which agriculture will provide 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States by the year 2025, while continuing to produce abundant, safe and affordable food and fiber and enjoying affordable electric rates .

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature urges the President and Congress of the United States to support the "25 by 25" initiative promoting the use of agricultural-based renewable energy as a goal, not as a mandate.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.