To accomplish these goals, USDA believes that any restructuring of the electric utility industry should be guided by the principles of reliability, fairness and flexibility. The transition to a more competitive industry environment must maintain the reliability of the Nation's electric system. The electric infrastructure in rural America should not be put at risk by restructuring legislation. A more competitive electric sector with retail choice should be fair and equitable to all consumers, including rural citizens, to existing electric utilities, and to Federal taxpayers who support USDA's Rural Utility Service program. Finally, industry restructuring should be flexible and contain a thoughtful transition process that accommodates the diversity of the electric utility industry.
Energy is vital to maintaining the productive capacity of U.S. agriculture.
Without energy farmers could not plant, cultivate, harvest, or transport their crops and livestock to market. So, the Department and other Agencies of the Federal Government monitor energy supplies and have developed contingency plans in the event energy supplies are disrupted. During the Midwest flood of 1993, we performed a similar role. Agriculture as a Producer of Energy Farm products as a source of energy are promising because they have the potential to provide benefits in energy security and environmental quality while raising farm income. The energy security benefits arise from the replacement of imported oil from less than reliable sources by a domestically-produced renewable source of energy.