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Initiative calls for 25 percent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2525

By Amy Beth Graves

The idea is simple but making it work is complex: have 25 percent of the United States’ energy needs come from renewable sources by 2025. The national initiative, known as the 25 x 25 resolution, has the backing of lawmakers as well as agricultural, environmental and industry leaders.

On Nov. 20, a day-long summit will be held at Ohio State University (OSU) to bring together these groups and others who are concerned about the energy situation in the United States.

"The greatest challenge for our generation is to meet our energy demands and continue to prosper," said Dale Arnold, director of energy services for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF), which is a sponsor of the meeting at the Fawcett Center on the OSU campus in Columbus. Other sponsors include OSU, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association and Ohio Department of Development.

The Ohio Renewable Energy Summit, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., will look at how Ohio and the United States can reduce their reliance on foreign oil and strengthen national security and revitalize rural economies. Last year the United States spent more than $200 billion on foreign oil.

The meeting will examine the pros and cons of using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biofuels. Panelists also are expected to talk about how increasing the United States’ energy use can help clean up the air and reduce urban smog.

"This summit will help make sure everyone is on the same page as far as current energy uses and potential renewable energy sources," said Adam Sharp, OFBF’s senior director of national affairs. "This summit should help the state become a renewable energy player. It will require a lot of cooperation to make the 25 x 25 initiative a reality."

Both Sharp and Arnold are members of a 25 x 25 steering committee, which came up with the idea of the energy summit in Ohio. U.S. Sen. George Voinovich and Ohio’s governor-elect have been invited.

"The goal is to help members of Ohio’s ag community and other interested groups come together to find out the issues and how to get involved," Arnold said. "The hope is that this summit will spawn other meetings and come up with an action plan for the state."

Sharp noted that American Farm Bureau Federation is one of more than 250 national organizations and businesses that support the measure, which has been in the works for more than two years. In September, the House Committee on Agriculture approved H. Con. Res. 424, which supports the 25 x 25 initiative.

"With the 25 x 25 initiative we are setting an ambitious, achievable and necessary goal that will be critical to our national energy needs in the future," said Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.), a member of the Agriculture Committee, in a news release after the committee passed the measure Sept. 21.

The cost for the summit is $25 per person with registration starting at 8 a.m. For more information, see OFBF’s Web site, www.ofbf.org, and featured links.