Washington, D.C. — The House of Representatives passed a resolution setting a goal to expand renewable energy production in the United States. The 25 by '25 resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that by the year 2025, at least 25 percent of total U.S. energy will come from renewable, domestically-produced sources.

"Renewable energy production is the driving economic force across rural America today and I am pleased that the House of Representatives recognized the importance of further growing fuels from the farm" NFU President Tom Buis said.

NFU is a member of the 25 x '25 coalition and a leading advocate of increasing the use and production of fuels from the farm. The resolution was first introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte, R-VA. in January.

"America's producers have been providing a quality food supply for more than 200 years and are now helping reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil. Increased ethanol production is creating economic opportunities for rural communities, restoring profitability to family farmers and ranchers, and providing a clean, safe renewable fuel for our nation's future," Buis said.

NFU is in strong support of the Senate and House passed energy bills, which respectively will expand and accelerate the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) which would mandate increasing amounts of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and biomass. Senate and House leaders are currently working to reconcile differences between the two bills.

"Passage of a strong energy bill that includes both a robust Renewable Fuels Standard and a national Renewable Electricity Standard will go a long way toward decreasing our dependence on foreign sources of energy and increasing economic opportunities in rural America," Buis said. "I am hopeful that Congress will pass such a bill and send it to the President yet this year."