U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Supports Alternative Energy Plans

Source: USCA

USCA (July 9, 2008) - The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) said today that it will urge policy-makers to focus on bold, aggressive plans for America’s energy future that reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy sources, enhance food and energy independence and provide an economic boost for rural America.

"It has become obvious that we must address the current energy crisis with a common-sense approach," said Danni Beer, USCA Energy Committee co-chair. "The cost of production is skyrocketing, having a dramatic impact on rural and urban economies. Developing and expanding alternative domestic energy sources translates into energy security, ensuring a stable source of supply and will provide economic relief to America’s food and fiber producers."

One plan will tap the wind corridor between Texas and the Canadian border, which could produce 20 percent of the nation’s electricity. According to the latest statistics, this project could result in $475 to $562 million in leases to rural landowners. The figures could triple if the wind were produced on locally-owned wind facilities.

U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) is praising a plan that was introduced yesterday by Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, which calls for increasing domestic natural gas and wind energy production as a "bold and achievable approach to meeting our nation’s energy challenges." The Pickens Plan proposes using more natural gas as a transportation fuel and harnessing wind energy to generate electricity.

"These are the sorts of common-sense solutions that serve two important purposes," noted Beer. "Reducing America’s foreign energy dependence and providing an economic opportunity for rural areas where leases for wind turbine placement, the creation of additional jobs and increased tax revenues will bring economic stimulus. Development of these policies will take tremendous foresight, leadership and cooperation. The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association is already integrated into this process, and we will continue to advocate energy policy that benefits not only our rural communities but America’s food and fuel independence as well."

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