Note from Oregon Congressman Greg Walden's office, followed by article 5/3/07:
National Cattlemen's Beef Association - Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns (regarding renewable fuel mandates)

Hello Everyone,

I'm Congressman Greg Walden's Legislative Assistant for agriculture issues in his Washington, D.C. office.  I'm originally from a diversified farm and ranch in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

You may have already seen the information below but just in case, Greg wanted me to share with you the brief update he received yesterday from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association regarding the Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007 (S. 987) introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) that would mandate the use of feed grain products to produce 15 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2015. 

As you know, Congress has already begun the process of rewriting the nation's federal farm policy and every week it seems there is a new issue afoot that may potentially impact agriculture producers and ranchers in Oregon.  As important news becomes available here in Washington regarding the 2007 Farm Bill or any other agriculture matter, Greg has asked that I pass it along so you too are informed.  Having grown up on a cherry orchard in The Dalles, the Congressman understands well the needs of those who make their living on the land and the importance of agriculture to Oregon's economy and way of life.  Should you have any thoughts or comments regarding the issues, please feel free to shoot me an email or call me (my contact information follows).  Also, if you know of someone who would be interested in receiving information, please have them contact me and I would be happy to add them to my outreach list.  If for whatever reason you would not like to receive these periodic emails, please feel free to let me know and I'll remove you promptly.

Again, please feel free to contact me at anytime so I can help relay your thoughts.  Congressman Walden relies on your input to keep him well informed.  

Thanks again, and I look forward to talking with you soon.

Nathan H. Rea
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congressman Greg Walden
Oregon's Second District
Nathan.Rea@mail.house.gov   
Phone: (202) 226-5234
Fax: (202) 225-5774

National Cattlemen's Beef Association - Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns

5/3/07

Senate Bill Seeks to Increase RFS for Feedgrain-Based Ethanol: NCBA is working to halt movement of S. 987, the Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007, until Congress can fully understand the consequences this bill could have on cattle producers.

 The bill proposes to increase the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to 36 billion gallons by 2022 and establish a mandate of 15 billion gallons of renewable fuels from feed grain products by 2015. NCBA policy opposes additional mandates or extensions for feedgrain-based ethanol that do not allow market forces to function in the development of bioenergy and renewable fuels. 

 An incredible 5.4 billion bushels of corn, equal to roughly 43 percent of all U.S. corn production, would be needed to produce the 15 billion gallons of feed-grains based ethanol proposed by this bill. NCBA says the impact of a 15 billion gallon RFS for feed-grains based ethanol will deal a serious blow to cattle producers if the United States experiences anything short of a new record for U.S. corn production. 

 S. 987 was approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on May 2^nd, and now moves to the Senate floor for consideration along with a package of other energy-related bills.

~end~

Nathan H. Rea
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congressman Greg Walden
Oregon's Second District
Nathan.Rea@mail.house.gov   
Phone: (202) 226-5234
Fax: (202) 225-5774