Published: July 02, 2008 12:59 pm            

Klobuchar: Renewables ‘vital’ to economy, security

Originally published in the June 27, 2008, print edition.

A June 5 visit to Washington, D.C., included a “Good Morning, Minnesota” stop at the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The following is an excerpt from that brief morning visit.

Q: Are you totally satisfied with the farm bill’s final product?

Klobuchar: No bill is ever 100 percent perfect, but the 2008 farm bill includes a number of provisions that I fought for because they are vital to Minnesota farmers, including a continuation of the three-part safety net, improvements to the dairy and sugar programs, and the first-ever permanent program of disaster assistance. As a member of the Senate agriculture committee, I worked hard on the bill, and we produced legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Q: What didn’t get into the final version that you would have favored?

Klobuchar: I would have favored stronger reforms to make sure that federal support intended for hardworking farmers doesn’t end up in the hands of urban millionaires. The bill includes a number of payment reforms: the three-entity rule was eliminated, and the cap on non-farm income for those participating in the commodity programs was lowered to $500,000. But I believe we could have done more, and I will continue to work with Minnesota producers for appropriate reforms in the future.

Q: In view of the continuing “food vs. fuel” debates, do you see pressure to back off on the Renewable Fuel Standard quotas already passed and approved?

Klobuchar: I do not believe we should back off on the RFS. There are many factors behind the recent increase in food prices. Chief among them is the rising cost of energy. Gas prices have gone up by one-third in the last year and diesel prices have nearly doubled, which raises the cost of producing food and the cost of moving it across the country — sometimes across the world — to the consumer. Other factors are low crop yields worldwide due to drought and other disasters, the weak dollar and increased demand from Asia.

With regard to the RFS, it’s a little known fact that 21 billion gallons of the renewable fuel required under the standard will be “advanced biofuels” like cellulosic ethanol, which can be made from agricultural residues such as corn stover, wheat straw and wood chips, or from dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass and other kinds of prairie grass. I authored a program in the Energy Title of the farm bill that will provide incentives for farmers to produce these dedicated energy crops, so Minnesota can continue to be a leader in the next generation of renewable biofuels.

Q: It appears the political clout of the “corn ethanol” states represents enough electoral votes to keep renewable energy clearly in the mainstream of the American economy. Would you concur?

Klobuchar: Homegrown, renewable energy is in the vital interest of our economy, our environment and our national security. America is paying a heavy price for our reliance on imported oil. We send $600,000 every minute to foreign countries, countries that don’t always share our values and objectives. Meanwhile, Minnesotans can’t afford the gas they need to get to work, to the doctor or to school. And businesses of every stripe are struggling with the unprecedented cost of energy. I believe we should be investing in the farmers and workers of the Midwest, not the oil fields of the Mideast. Renewable fuels can provide a cleaner, cheaper alternative to gasoline, and the dollars spent on them stay in our economy, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

As we move toward the next generation of biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol, renewable fuels will also provide us with numerous conservation benefits, including cleaner water, better soil quality and improved wildlife habitat. Research at the University of Minnesota is showing that, with native prairie grasses, we may actually be able to produce carbon-negative motor fuel, which would be a huge advance in the fight against global climate change. So I believe the focus on renewable energy is well-placed.

Q: On the issue of “blender’s credits” — so that motorists could decide at the pump if they want 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 50 percent or 85 percent ethanol — is that likely to get federal support to assist stations with the infrastructure changeover? If so, what would you favor?

Klobuchar: The energy bill we passed at the end of last year includes substantial support for renewable fuels infrastructure, including blender pumps. The bill includes funding for 10 major “corridor projects,” which will give drivers the security of knowing that they will be able to find renewable fuel pumps regularly along certain travel corridors, and there are additional funds available for gas stations across the country to install renewable fuel pumps. Soon, many more drivers will be able to “dial-a-blend” to get the right mix of ethanol for their vehicles and their wallets.

Q: Some cattle feeders are in favor of a Country of Origin Labeling program for livestock. I understand this issue is covered in the new farm bill with language reading “produced in the United States and Canada”. Do you see an animal ID program also eventually falling into place?

Klobuchar: I am very pleased that we were able to reach a compromise between livestock producers, meat packers and retailers, and include a Country of Origin Labeling program in the new farm bill. As you noted, in the case of animals which cross the U.S.-Canada border, the product will be labeled “Product of the U.S. and Canada.”

With respect to animal identification, livestock producers still have many concerns regarding the potential cost of a national program, the protection of their proprietary business information and potentially burdensome paperwork requirements. The USDA is currently developing a voluntary animal ID program in cooperation with industry, and I will continue to work with Minnesota producers and federal authorities to find the right solution.

        

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