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[House Report 110-344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

110th Congress                                            Rept. 110-344
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     Part 1

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  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT IT IS THE GOAL OF THE UNITED 
    STATES THAT, NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 1, 2025, THE AGRICULTURAL, 
  FORESTRY, AND WORKING LAND OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD PROVIDE FROM 
   RENEWABLE RESOURCES NOT LESS THAN 25 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL ENERGY 
 CONSUMED IN THE UNITED STATES AND CONTINUE TO PRODUCE SAFE, ABUNDANT, 
                  AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, FEED, AND FIBER

                                _______
                                

               September 24, 2007.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                     [To accompany H. Con. Res. 25]

    The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 25) expressing the sense of 
Congress that it is the goal of the United States that, not 
later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and 
working land of the United States should provide from renewable 
resources not less than 25 percent of the total energy consumed 
in the United States and continue to produce safe, abundant, 
and affordable food, feed, and fiber, having considered the 
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and 
recommends that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.

                             BRIEF SUMMARY

    H. Con. Res. 25 expresses the Sense of Congress that the 
goal of the United States, not later than January 1, 2025, that 
the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United 
States should provide not less than 25 percent of the total 
energy consumed in the United States.
    The resolution further provides that, along with the 
production of energy, the United States should continue to 
produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.

                            PURPOSE AND NEED

    The official title of the resolution as introduced is: 
``Expressing the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the 
United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the 
agricultural, forestry, and working land of the United States 
should provide from renewable resources not less than 25 
percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and 
continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, 
and fiber.''
    H. Con. Res. 25, also known as 25x'25, recognizes that it 
is in the best interest of the United States to utilize its own 
agricultural and forestry resources to meet rapidly growing 
domestic and energy demands, rather than to depend upon energy 
imported from other regions of the world. Sources of renewable 
energy exist in every one of the 50 states. These can be 
provided from resources such as wind, solar, hydro and 
biofuels. Renewable energy already produces 6 percent of 
America's total energy and by 2025 it is possible that it will 
produce 25% of our projected energy use, from farm and forest 
resources, including many waste materials. The 25x'25 vision 
sets a national goal, a vision of where we want to go to ensure 
a sustainable, secure energy future for ourselves and for 
future generations.

                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

I. Full Committee Consideration

    The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with 
a quorum present, on May 17, 2007, to consider H. Con. Res. 25 
and other pending legislation.
    Members were recognized and each made a statement in 
support of the legislation. Counsel was also recognized for a 
brief explanation of the resolution.
    Mr. Conaway was recognized to offer and explain an 
amendment to state that the market is best suited to determine 
which forms of renewable energy are the most effective and 
efficient. Discussion occurred and Mr. Boustany offered a 
second amendment to strike the word best. Further discussion 
occurred, and without objection, the Conaway amendment was 
withdrawn.
    There being no more amendments, Mr. Goodlatte moved that H. 
Con. Res. 25 be reported favorably to the House with the 
recommendation that it pass.
    By a voice vote, and in the presence of a quorum, H. Con. 
Res. 25 was ordered favorably reported to the House.
    Chairman Peterson then advised Members that pursuant to the 
rules of the House of Representative that Members have 2 
calendar days to file such views with the Committee. No Members 
came forth with intent to file additional views.
    Without objection, staff was given permission to make any 
necessary clerical, technical or conforming changes to reflect 
the intent of the Committee.
    Chairman Peterson thanked all the Members and adjourned the 
meeting subject to the call of the chair.

                  REPORTING THE BILL--ROLL CALL VOTES

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of 
Representatives, H. Con. Res. 25 was reported by voice vote 
with a majority quorum present. There was no request for a 
recorded vote.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture's 
oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 
body of this report.

           BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE (SECTIONS 308, 402, AND 423)

    The provisions of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (relating to estimates of new 
budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority, 
or increased or decreased revenues or tax expenditures) were 
not requested from the Congressional Budget Office as this 
resolution would result in no new costs to the Federal 
government. Therefore, the Committee advises that the 
resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no 
comparison of the total estimated funding level under clause 
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives and sections 402 and 423 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 for the relevant programs are not considered 
applicable.

                    PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    H. Con. Res. 25 does not authorize funding, therefore, 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives is inapplicable.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the 
Constitutional authority for this legislation in Article I, 
clause 8, section 18, that grants Congress the power to make 
all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers 
vested by Congress in the Constitution of the United States or 
in any department or officer thereof.

                        COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H. Con. Res. 
25 would result in no new costs to the Federal government.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this 
legislation.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    H. Con. Res. 25 contains no Federal mandates.

EARMARK STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CLAUSE 9 OF RULE XXI OF THE RULES OF THE 
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    H. Con. Res. 25 does not contain any congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    H. Con. Res. 25 does not amend any existing Federal statue.

                                  
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