Another coalition of groups--this time agricultural--has just come out in favor of adding a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to the energy bill

The National Farmers Union, National Association of Wheat Growers, American Farmland Trust, and International Biochar Initiative signed onto the letter to Senate Democratic and Republican leaders. Notes the letter, "Inclusion of [the RES] will help America’s drive toward energy independence, re-invigorate rural communities through job growth and income generation for agriculture, and significantly improve the environment and the air we breathe," adding, "American agriculture stands ready to help meet the country’s clean energy needs." NFU President Roger Johnson commented, “We are very disappointed with ... Majority Leader [Harry Reid's] omission of an RES from the recently introduced energy legislation. America’s farmers and ranchers support the opportunity to increase energy production under an RES, and the Senate should have an opportunity to vote for it.” The agricultural groups' initiative follows a similar one a few days ago by a coalition of labor unions, utilities, environmental groups, and renewable energy organizations and adds to the growing drumbeat in support of the RES. Urge Senators NOW to put the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) back in the energy bill! Majority Leader Reid has announced that the Senate will take up a slimmed-down energy bill without a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Tell your Senators NOW that the wind industry urgently needs an RES in the energy bill in order to thrive. E-mail your elected officials and tell them that, without an RES, the Senate is endangering at least 360,000 jobs: 85,000 currently employed in the wind energy industry and the potential 274,000 additional jobs created by an RES. AWEA CEO Denise Bode says, "A refusal to pass an RES is an attack on every American worker and consumer…Workers, families, and our country demand a new energy future. That future must emphasize new strategies that embrace clean, renewable sources of energy that reduce costs, create jobs, and enhance our national security." www.powerofwind.com/ By Tom Gray, www.awea.org/blog/