by John Koscelny

Created on: October 30, 2008

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 had many environmental benefits included in the Act but didn't go far enough to ensure that environmental programs would be enacted. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 also known as the farm bill is another product of a Presidential Administration that gives lip service to the environment but doesn't carry through. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 202 contain a new section (9006) that directs the USDA to implement a renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement grant and loan section.

Because of the poor quality of the grants and loans available (matching funds were high) very few organizations or individuals took advantage of the programs offer in the Act. One survey this author found showed only 34 programs in 10 states were using the funds. For example the Texas Photovoltaic Program was funded by the state budget but was cut late in 2002 due to budget constraints. This was a very good program for the improvement of renewable solar energy and photovoltaic cells but was cut and set back indefinitely because of the poor commitment of the Federal Government towards renewable energy.

One program that did have some effect was the California Dairy Farm Program administrate by EnSave Energy Performance Incorporated that uses financial incentives to encourage dairy farmers to upgrade to efficient motors because of the heavy use of motors used in milking vacuum pumps. This type of program incorporates use of less electricity and not renewable energy, but still a savings in the use of electricity.

Another program that has used the grant and loans is the Ethanol Industry. While many people were for this and some still are, we are finding out that using corn to make ethanol isn't the perfect dream of a renewable resource that we thought. One is corn was taken from the livestock and poultry industry thus making feed prices higher and therefore food prices higher in the store for the consumer. There is also the concern that the environmental effect, erosion, more fuel usage to grow corn, and all the other concerns make this renewable energy not as promising as once thought.

In conclusion, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, had many grants and loans to encourage renewable energy but they didn't go far enough in monetary funding to get the renewable energy programs off the ground. Until states and private companies have the incentive and they may have that now with the cost of fossil fuel having rose, renewable energy may not get off the ground. But if we get an Administration that makes renewable energy a priority and puts the funding behind it then we might get some very effective renewable energy results. Lastly this funding should be taken out of the Farm Act and put into an Act of it own to show the priority.

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