Missouri Farm Bureau to Launch “Our Energy, Our Future” Petition Campaign at the State Fair

 Missouri Farm Bureau to Launch “Our Energy, Our Future” Petition Campaign at the State Fair

Long before today’s fuel crisis and a renewed interest in our nation’s energy independence, Missouri Farm Bureau urged Congress and the Administration to get serious about developing a comprehensive national energy policy.

“It is more than troubling to realize today’s energy crisis is largely to blame on Washington D.C.’s failure to do much during the last several years to address America’s energy needs,” said Charles E. Kruse, president of Missouri Farm Bureau. “Americans are rightfully upset, but I am concerned many of our nation’s leaders are still not getting the message.”

In an effort to demonstrate to members of Congress and the Administration that Missourians believe action should be taken now, Missouri Farm Bureau is gathering signatures on a citizens’ petition called, “Our Energy, Our Future.” Signatures on the petition will be collected in the Missouri Farm Bureau building during the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia beginning August 7. Signatures will also be collected this summer and fall at Missouri Farm Bureau county annual meetings and other venues.

The petition lists several steps supported by Missouri Farm Bureau’s member-adopted policy:

· Expedite the development of energy resources anywhere in the U.S., including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Outer Continental Shelf, without unduly impacting the environment;

· Increase domestic oil refining capacity by streamlining permitting requirements and other regulations;

· Diversify geographic locations of oil refineries and U.S. energy supplies;

· Expand the utilization of renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel;

· Expand and construct nuclear power plants;

· Expedite the construction of liquefied natural gas terminals;

· Reduce the number of specialty fuels;

· Decrease demand for natural gas by increasing incentives for the use of clean coal technology in electric power generation; and

· Increase the use of wind, solar and other renewable sources of energy.

While not legally binding, the petition is a method of communicating to Congress and the Administration the public’s opinion. Plans are to deliver the petition signatures to Washington D.C. later this year or early next. More on the petition and how to sign it can be found at www.mofb.org.