AWA Calls on Officials to Unleash U.S. Energy Potential

American Agri-Women (AAW) President Heather Hampton+Knodle called on U.S. officials to unleash U.S. energy capacity this week.

An Illinois farmer, Hampton+Knodle said, "There is nothing inclusive or equitable about our current energy trajectory. We need to do things that make sense and will cost less cents in the long run. If you reduce energy costs, you reduce food costs and the cost of all other transported goods both directly and indirectly -- fuel for trucking and rail to deliver food. Electricity for supporting cleaning, processing, packaging and storing in refrigerated and freezer units."

She outlined specific actions that policy makers and regulators should take including honoring renewable fuel targets, convening independent scientific advisory committees to review emission requirements and conduct current cost-benefit analysis, not accepting brown outs or black outs as acceptable policy by adjusting the projection and forecast measures as well as assessing penalties when outages occur and reparations to commercial customers with lost products, allowing continued development of petroleum, and streamlining mining permits for rare earth materials required by 21st century technology.

AAW advocates for an "all of the above" energy policy that includes hydroelectric, natural gas-fired power plants, clean coal technology, renewables of solar and wind deployed with minimal land use impacts, responsible nuclear, renewable fuels, as well as petroleum development and refining.

Hampton+Knodle added, "These high fuel costs hit rural areas even harder because people often drive farther for work, healthcare, groceries and other services. Yet, these are the same people our country and much of the world rely on to produce food, fiber and renewable fuels."

She delivered the closing remarks during the organization's "Rebirth, Renew, Refuel: Balancing Our Natural Resources" Symposium held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Featured speakers at the event included Paul Winters with Clean Fuels Alliance America; Kathy Reding Begren with National Corn Growers Association; and Hillary Leach with John Deere.

Moderator Jeff Nalley with Agri-Pulse led the discussion across topics related to the U.S. being a global leader in energy production; economic growth through investment and manufacturing; and the opportunities and challenges of building the U.S. energy future.

For 27 years, the AAW has coordinated a Symposium in conjunction with its annual Legislative Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Women from farms, ranches and agribusiness pay their own way to participate in the Fly-In. Past Symposium topics have delved into issues ranging from sustainable development, immigration reform, trade, taxes, water resources, property rights and public land management policies, food supply and nutrition.

AAW members followed the Symposium with a conversation with the American Petroleum Institute and shared their opposition to a carbon tax.