Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after his amendment to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to an important energy and economic development tool was added to the farm bill that is being debated by the House. Currently, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) supports farmers and rural small businesses in pursuing energy project investments including windpower, biofuels, solar, and anaerobic digestion. Loebsack's amendment would allow farmers and rural small businesses to be able to continue to create jobs and grow our rural economy in a value-added and sustainable way.
"Investment in energy projects put people to work, create entrepreneurial opportunities, and generate new value-added opportunities for our farmers, rural small businesses, and communities," said Loebsack. "In Iowa alone, over 1,600 rural energy projects were initiated between 2003 and 2012, many stemming from farm bill energy programs. My amendment stresses the importance of farm bill energy programs to job creation and our rural economies, and allows one of our best resources - our farmers - to play a critical role in our domestic energy production."
Specifically, Loebsack's amendment reinstates feasibility studies under REAP in the Energy Title of the bill. Full text of the amendment can be found here.
Video of Loebsack speaking on the floor in support of his amendment can be seen here.
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