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Farmers attend Senate hearing on clean energy

Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Press Release) --  The Wisconsin Farmers Union joined renewable energy producers at a senate hearing held in the Capitol today to ask elected leaders to support the Low Carbon Fuel Standard as a part of the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

"The Low Carbon Fuel Standard will support Wisconsin farmers by creating new markets to sell crops to power our homes, schools, and businesses," said Mike Stranz, Government Relations Specialist at the Wisconsin Farmer's Union.
  
Under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), fuel providers in the state must gradually reduce the average carbon content of the mix of fuels sold in the state. An LCFS benefits the agricultural community by increasing demand for crops capable of producing low-carbon fuels such as switchgrass, woody biomass and crop residue.
 
"By growing our own low-carbon fuels, we can become more energy independent and put money into the pockets of hard-working Wisconsin farmers," said Jamie Derr, Owner and Operator of Derr Solarmass LLC. "Why spend billions buying foreign fossil fuels when Wisconsin farmers can grow much of our fuel right here at home?"
 
Beyond supporting the LCFS, the Wisconsin Farmers Union joined renewable energy businesses in asking legislators to include an Energy Crop Reserve Program and Advanced Renewable Tariffs as a part of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Advanced Renewable Tariffs set the price utilities pay residents for renewable power put onto the grid.
 
"Wisconsin farmers produce renewable electricity everyday by using manure digesters, and by harnessing the power of the wind and sun," said Dan Nemke, General Manager at Clear Horizons, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of manure digesters. "Advanced Renewable Tariffs ensure these farmers and other residents get paid a fair price for their production of clean, renewable energy."
 
All agreed that many provisions of the Clean Energy Jobs Act could create important new opportunities for Wisconsin's farm community.
 
"Including smart policies like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Advanced Renewable Tariffs in the Clean Energy Jobs Act holds the potential to create an economic boon for Wisconsin's agricultural community," said Stranz
  
Chippewa Falls, Wis. (2/10/2010) –