49–006 

109TH CONGRESS REPT. 109–710 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session Part 1 

RESOLUTION ON USE OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES FOR 

ENERGY PRODUCTION 

SEPTEMBER 29, 2006.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. GOODLATTE, from the Committee on Agriculture, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 424] 

The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 424) 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, report favorably thereon without 

amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be 

agreed to. 

BRIEF SUMMARY

H. Con. Res. 424 expresses a sense of Congress that the goal of 

the United States is that at least 25 percent of the energy consumed in the United States should be the product of the agricultural, forestry, and working lands of the nation. The resolution further provides that along with this production for energy, the 

United States should continue to produce a sufficient supply of 

food, feed, and fiber. 

Before reaching this resolution, H. Con. Res. 424 states that the 

production of renewable energy from agricultural, forestry, and 

working lands is beneficial to national security, rural economies, 

and the environment. H. Con. Res. 424 further states a belief that 

the development and use of renewable energy will stabilize the cost 

and availability of energy in the United States and that supportive 

policies and incentives will make increased use practical and effective. 


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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. 424, also known as 25x’25 recognizes that it is in 

our best interest to wean ourselves off of the dependency on foreign 

oil and furthermore, recognizes that the best way to accomplish 

this goal is the utilization of our agriculture and forestry resources. 

In fact, there are sources of renewable energy 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 today and by 2025 it will be possible to 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 us and for future generations. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

I. Full Committee Consideration 

The Committee on Agriculture met, pursuant to notice, with a 

quorum present, on September 21, 2006, to consider H. Con. Res. 

424 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 without objection, the amendment was withdrawn. 

There being no amendments, Mr. Peterson moved that H. Con. 

Res. 424 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. 

424 was ordered favorably reported to the House. 

Chairman Goodlatte then advised Members that pursuant to the 

rules of the House of Representatives 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 Goodlatte thanked all the Members and adjourned the 

meeting subject to the call of the chair. 

REPORTING THE BILL—ROLLCALL VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, H. Con. Res. 424 was reported by voice vote with a 

majority quorum present. There was no request for a recorded vote. 


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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. 424 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. 424 

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. 424 contains no Federal mandates. 


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EARMARKS

Pursuant to H. Res. 1000, adopted by the House on September 

14, 2006, the Committee states that this legislation contains no 

earmarks. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

H. Con. Res. 424 does not amend any existing Federal statute. 

COMMITTEE CORRESPONDENCE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 

Washington, DC, September 28, 2006. 

Hon. RICHARD POMBO, 

Chairman, House Committee on Resources, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: On September 21 the Committee on Agriculture favorably reported H. Con. Res. 424, otherwise known as 

the 25x25 resolution. H. Con. Res. 424 was primarily referred to 

the Committee on Agriculture and additionally to the Committee 

on Resources and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. In 

light of the limited time remaining in this Congress, I ask for your 

help in expediting this important legislation. 

I ask that you allow the Committee on Resources to be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 424. Discharge 

would not be considered as affecting your committee’s jurisdiction 

over this subject matter. In the event of a conference with the Senate, I would support naming Resources Committee members to any 

conference committee. 

I look forward to your response and would be pleased to include 

it and this request in either the committee report or the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of the bills by the House 

of Representatives. 

Sincerely, 

BOB GOODLATTE, Chairman. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES, 

Washington, DC, September 28, 2006. 

Hon. BOB GOODLATTE, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your letter on H. Con. Res. 

424, 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. Knowing that 

the 109th Congress is rapidly drawing to a close and how important this bill is to you, I would be pleased to allow the Committee 

on Resources to be discharged from further consideration of this 


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measure. By doing so, I do not waive the Committee’s jurisdiction 

over the subject matter of the bill and it will not serve as precedent 

for future referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be 

necessary, I appreciate your support to have the Committee on Resources represented on the conference committee. I would also appreciate our exchange of letters being included in either the bill report or in the Congressional Record when H. Con. Res. 424 is considered on the Floor. 

Thank you for your leadership on this issue and your extraordinary cooperation during this Congress. It has been a pleasure 

working with you and your able staff. 

Sincerely, 

RICHARD W. POMBO, 

Chairman. 

Æ 


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