Alternative fuels must play a greater role in America's energy supply, and Idaho farmers can play a role in providing those fuels, U.S. Sen. Larry Craig told a group of close to 300 farmers and their families Wednesday evening at the Sun Valley Inn.
Craig, R-Idaho, spoke at a banquet of the Annual Idaho Farm Bureau Convention.
An affiliate of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Idaho Farm Bureau represents the political and economic interests of farm and ranch families. According to its Web site, one of its main goals is to protect private property rights, especially water and grazing rights.
Craig told convention attendees that the United States cannot conserve its way to energy sufficiency.
He said that if the United States does not produce more energy, prices are bound to rise, which will harm farmers especially. He said the 2005 national energy bill, passed last summer, provides incentives for energy production, including both traditional sources, such as natural gas, and alternative fuels, such as ethanol.
"We're getting the country back into the business of production," Craig said.
Environmental organizations criticized the energy bill for failing to tighten fuel efficiency standards, providing subsidies for the oil and nuclear industries, and diluting environmental restrictions on oil and gas development.
"There are still those out there who really believe this country's future is a candle in every hand and a cave over every head," Craig said.
He said Idaho is in a position to be a leader in ethanol production. Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting starch crops such as corn, barley and wheat.
Craig said that over the next few months Congress will craft legislation to guide agricultural policy from 2007 to 2012. He said part of that will be an effort to provide farmers with financing to acquire new technology.
"We have to refinance the agricultural portfolio of America," he said.
Craig decried the country's increasing dependence on imported food.
"A nation that feeds itself well is a wealthy nation and is a healthy nation," he said.
Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was the keynote speaker Wednesday at a banquet of the Annual Idaho Farm Bureau Convention in Sun Valley. Express photo by Greg Moore
