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SECTION VIII ENERGY AND THE FAMILY FARM Energy is vital to securing our nation’s need for food and fiber. This nation must establish a long-range national energy policy that emphasizes conservation and wise use of our energy resources. We must renew national efforts to reduce our reliance on imported energy and move toward greater energy selfsufficiency. North Dakota Farmers Union supports a balanced, comprehensive energy policy which seeks energy independence for the United States, protects our nation’s environment and recognizes the special needs of America’s agricultural sector. In addition, a national energy policy must reverse the trend toward concentration of ownership and control of sources, production and distribution of energy. In order to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, development of renewable sources of energy must be a priority. This must include economic and technical assistance for family farmers wanting to transition into increased application of alternative forms of energy. Growth and development of our renewable energy has great potential to provide additional income to North Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers. In addition, our cooperatives can play a leading role in the distribution and marketing of these energy products. 1. NATIONAL ENERGY RESERVE A. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Petroleum supply disruptions represent a direct threat to this nation’s national and economic security. They are particularly difficult for farmers and those in rural areas who bear the burden of crisis-driven price increases long after the actual disruption. Therefore, we urge prioritization of agricultural petroleum supplies at competitive prices. These supplies are necessary for the uninterrupted production of our nation’s food supply. We believe it is essential that Strategic Petroleum Reserve supplies be allocated to cooperative and other independent domestic refineries at equitable prices at the early stages of any supply disruption.
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B. Renewable Energy Reserve We support the creation of a renewable energy reserve to help alleviate our dependence on nonrenewable energy sources and reduce price-depressing supplies of wheat, feed grains and oilseeds. 2. ENERGY DEVELOPMENT A. Public Power and Resource Development (1) Feasible hydroelectric sites should be investigated for public power projects organized to fully develop and protect all power, irrigation, water utilization, recreation, navigation and other uses. (2) Due to the shortage of electric energy in certain parts of the country, we encourage federal funding for the upgrade and development of transmission lines. 56
