DeLauro Holds Roundtable Discussion with Connecticut Farmers on Rising Energy Costs

DeLauro Holds Roundtable Discussion with Connecticut Farmers on Rising Energy Costs

- Pledges to seek funding for renewable energy -

SEYMOUR, Conn. - While meeting with area farmers at Bomba Brothers Farm today, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) said that investments in renewable energy sources would help lower energy costs for the agricultural community. DeLauro, who is the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Agriculture subcommittee, pledged to work through her committee to find funding sources for these innovative programs.

Before Hurricane Katrina struck, farm energy costs were projected to reach $10.2 billion in 2005, which was up from $8.2 billion in 2004 and $6.8 billion the year before. Natural gas prices were among the main culprits for these increased costs, having increased a startling 215 percent in the last 3 years alone, driving up the cost of fertilizer, irrigation and countless other aspects of farm operations. Diesel remains at $2.70 per gallon in the Greater New Haven area - down a few cents from a month ago but nowhere near the $2.25 it cost this time last year. The same is true of regular gasoline and natural gas.

"Whether you are a parent taking your children to school, driving yourself to work in the morning, or a small business just trying to stay competitive, rising energy costs pose a big problem for all of us. But among those feeling the pain in the most acute way are our farmers," said DeLauro. "Right now, dairy farmers face increased milk transportation costs, while fruit and vegetable growers will face higher costs in bringing their commodities to market. That tells us getting this right is not only a matter of economics but also of competitiveness."

There are nearly 400 farms in the Third Congressional District - dairy farms, horticulture, aquaculture, orchards and vegetable growers. Small family farms like Bomba's make up over 90 percent of all farms in Connecticut and constitute an important economic constituency in the state.

For those growing our vegetables and raising livestock, energy prices are only the latest challenge. Fertilizer prices have tripled in just the last few years. Other fluctuating costs include pesticides and seed, drying and storage, and machinery- related costs like fuel and repairs. And that is to say nothing of factors like depreciation, overhead, interest, and, labor.

"There are several federal programs that encourage the use of emerging technologies and improve energy efficiency," said DeLauro. "One helps farmers purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements on their farms - another educates farmers to increase the awareness and use of biodiesel, which is cleaner burning and made in part from vegetable oils and animal fats. I intend to fight this year to ensure we fund these programs and help farmers take that first step into this new area. That is how we keep our family farmers more competitive and more secure."

Yesterday, DeLauro spoke to a group of agriculture scientists and researchers at Yale regarding renewable energy and the role farms large and small are going to play in making these new technologies viable. Click here for the text of her remarks: http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/February/yale_speech_2_22_06.html

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/February/bombas_event_2_23_06.html