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American farmers are expected to gain under a comprehensive energy bill that is making its way through Congress.

Last month, the House passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by a vote of 249 to 183. The Senate hopes to finish its version later this month and then both the House and Senate versions would have to be worked out in negotiations. President Bush has said he wants a final bill to be finished by the August recess.

The House version called for a renewable fuels standard (RFS) of 5 billion gallons by 2012, which the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said is a "win for the environment, our farmers and all Americans."

"As suppliers of renewable forms of energy, such as ethanol and biodiesel, farmers will benefit thanks to our lawmakers’ recognition that renewable, domestic energy sources deserve a preferential spot in a marketplace otherwise dominated by imports of foreign oil," said AFBF President Bob Stallman.

The House bill also provides a streamlined process for opening liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal facilities, which are expected to help the shortfall of natural gas supplies. Natural gas is used in the agricultural industry to make nitrogen-based fertilizers, heat barns, dry grain and pump water.

"Hopefully we will see a slew of LNG terminal facilities coming on line within the next 18 months to two years after the passage of this bill," said Troy Bredenkamp, AFBF energy specialist.