“25x’25 Alliance partners are among the dozens of businesses, schools, government agencies and advocacy organizations around the United States and Canada observing the Fifth Annual Bioenergy Day today, staging events that recognize the economic and environmental benefits of using organic materials – biomass – to produce heat, power and fuels,” said Bart Ruth, alliance chairman. “While aimed at educating local residents and stakeholders on bioenergy and how it contributes locally to forest health and economic productivity, the message is also one that policy makers at the local, state and federal levels need to hear to ensure bioenergy in all of its forms is given the optimum opportunity to contribute to our nation’s energy strategy.
“While strong efforts are underway to document the lower carbon benefits of sustainably produced biomass, bioenergy still faces constant and self-serving criticism from fossil fuel interests that are desperately seeking to hold on to their share of the market. The individuals and groups out today are casting a very important spotlight on this import sector and the contributions it makes to the nation’s energy security and the economic benefits it provides to rural America.”
25x’25 is a diverse alliance of agricultural, forestry, environmental, conservation and other organizations and businesses that are working collaboratively to advance the goal of securing 25 percent of the nation’s energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2025. 25x’25 is led by an executive committee composed of volunteer leaders. The 25x’25 goal has been endorsed by nearly 1,000 partners, 35 current and former governors, 15 state legislatures and the U.S. Congress through The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 25x’25 operates as a special project of Solutions from the Land, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to land based solutions to global challenges.
