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 fewer 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 policymakers and regulators should take including honoring renewable fuel targets, convening independent scientific advisory committees to review emission requirements and conduct a current cost-benefit analysis, and not accepting brownouts or blackouts 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 the 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, Re-fuel: Balancing Our Natural Resources” Symposium held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday, June 6th.
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, 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.
AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of women in farming, ranching, and agribusiness with members in 42 states. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit the organization’s website at www.americanagriwomen.org.
About American Agri-Women
American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a portion of safe and reliable food, fiber, and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers, advocate for agriculture, and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW website for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org.
