| 25x'25 Action Plan |
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As the 21st century unfolds, America has an opportunity to chart a new course for its energy future – one that uses our abundant natural renewable energy resources to steer us to new economic opportunities and jobs, more robust national security, and a cleaner, healthier environment. Our nation's farmers, ranchers and forest land owners have set a bold vision to provide solutions from the land to meet our energy needs. The right policy framework is needed, however, to realize the vision. The 25x'25 Action Plan: Charting America's Energy Future provides that policy framework and serves as a map for the public and policy makers to use in setting a new course for America. The Action Plan outlines specific steps needed to put our nation on the path to achieve the 25x'25 goal: By the year 2025, America's farms, ranches and forests will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber. While energy demand in the U.S. is projected to increase 24% by 2025, this Action Plan, combined with strong efficiency measures, provides a roadmap for safely, securely, and profitably meeting this demand. Specifically, the Action Plan calls for supportive policies in each of five areas:
For those with slower Internet connections please view the full 25x'25 Action Plan in sections for quicker download times:
A Strong Coalition of Support:
In consultation with the more than 400 groups that have endorsed the 25x'25 vision and have collaborated in this process, the 25x'25 Steering Committee has assembled this plan for accelerating the transition to America's renewable energy future. These 400 groups make up the 25x’25 Alliance, a grassroots coalition of agricultural, forestry, business, labor, environmental and civic organizations working to advance renewable energy solutions from our nation’s farms, forests, ranches and other working lands, and give the plan a very broad base of support. The plan is based on the principles of partnership, commitment, sustainability, efficiency, and opportunity. To achieve the 25x’25 vision, the Alliance urges all Americans to join our efforts to:
Many 25x'25 Partners and Congressional Leaders have circulated statements of support for the plan since its release, including:
A Winning Strategy for America Producing 25 percent of America’s energy from renewable sources will yield significant economic, national security, and environmental benefits. Achieving the 25x’25 goal will:
Press Coverage of the 25x'25 Action Plan:
 Wall Street Journal (2.28.07) Argus Leader (Souix Falls, SD 2.28.07) Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN 2.28.07) Drovers (2.28.07) Farm Futures (2.28.07) Farm News (2.28.07) Wallaces (2.28.07)
Developing the Action Plan On July 26-27, 2006, the 25x’25 Project Steering Committee brought together our endorsing partners in Washington, DC to begin forming the framework of the 25x’25 Action Plan. At this meeting, the endorsing organizations discussed and compiled a preliminary list of “whats” and “hows” to get to 25x’25. Five working groups were established and met regularly to to develop draft components of the 25x’25 Action Plan. The five workgroup topic areas are:
On September 26-28, 2006, the endorsing partners reconvened for the second Action Plan Development Meeting in Denver, CO. On Wednesday, September 27, the work groups spent a full day discussing and further developing implementation recommendations for the consideration of the 25x’25 alliance partners. Thursday morning, the work groups came together in a plenary session to report progress and seek input from other participants. By the end of this meeting, the group had achieved significant consensus on the primary components of the 25x’25 and the next steps in the Implementation Planning process.
On January 24th, 2007, the partners assembled again to review and finalize the details of the Steering Committee’s draft Action Plan. The partners spent the day reviewing each draft chapter and the proposed funding requests that will allow 25x’25 to become a reality. At the end of this meeting the 25x’25 Steering Committee had a well developed outline of the recommendations with which they would build the final Action Plan.
On February 28, 2007 the Steering Committee released the 25x'25 Action Plan: Charting America’s Energy Future at an event on Capitol Hill that included many of the 25x’25 Congressional champions and leaders of 25x’25 partner organizations. The final Action Plan provides recommendations that aim to achieve the vision of producing 25 percent of the nation's energy from renewable sources by 2025. Significantly, the Action Plan represents the consensus views on how to achieve a 25x’25 renewable energy future.
25x’25 Action Plan Development Timeline
June/July 2006
Partners brainstorm and submit 25x’25 Action Plan ideas July 2006 Action Plan Development team compiles recommendations and mails summary to partners July 26-27, 2006 First 25x’25 partner meeting (Sheraton Four Points, Washington, DC)
Work groups develop draft components of Action Plan Sept. 26-28, 2006 Second 25x’25 partner meeting (Sheraton Denver West, Denver, CO)
Draft Action Plan circulated for review/comment January 24, 2007 Third 25x’25 partner meeting (Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC)
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