NASDA ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS ENERGY ISSUES
News Date June 22, 2009
Last month, NASDA’s Board of Directors approved the creation of an Energy Task Force to focus on a myriad of energy-related issues facing agriculture and rural America. The task force will report to NASDA’s Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee and the Rural Development and Financial Security Committee, focusing mostly on policy issues related to climate change, biofuels, and energy costs.
America’s farm and ranches will continue to play a pivotal role in our energy future. This critical role will undoubtedly provide ample economic development opportunities for rural America; however, there will be occasions where regional interests may find themselves on opposite sides of an issue. NASDA’s new Energy Task Force was created in order to address these potentially controversial energy issues. The Obama Administration and Congress have both put energy legislation at the top of their agenda, with the House of Representatives already well underway on a climate change bill. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Department of Energy and USDA, are currently rewriting the rules on renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. With these major issues being a priority with federal policymakers, there is no better time for NASDA to weigh in.
Current members of NASDA’s new Energy Task Force include: Commissioner Charles Bronson (FL), Director Robert Boggs (OH), Secretary Bill Even (SD), Director Anne Hazlett (IN), Commissioner Scott Soares (MA), Secretary Bill Northey (IA), Commissioner Gene Hugoson (MN), Commissioner Mike Strain (LA), Commissioner Gus Douglass (WV), Director Jon Hagler (MO), Director Katy Coba (OR), Director Ron DeYong (MT), Commissioner Todd Staples (TX) and Director Tom Jennings (IL). (Contact: David Hickey)