WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Agriculture Energy Coalition applauds the Senate on the passage of its comprehensive 2018 Farm Bill. The Coalition would like to thank Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MN) for their leadership in passing this timely, bipartisan legislation.

The coalition also thanks Senator Amy Klobuchar for her efforts in securing funding for the energy title within the Farm Bill, along with cosponsors of her amendment from both sides of the aisle: Senators Debbie Fischer (R-NE), Tina Smith (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Hiedi Heitkamp (D-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennett (D-CO) and Bob Casey (D-PA). The continuation of mandatory funding will allow farmers, ranchers, and businesses to further invest in the improvement of renewable chemicals, biobased products, advanced biofuels and renewable power.

This legislation expands eligibility to new and innovative technologies from renewable chemicals and biobased products. It secures vitally important opportunities for renewable electricity both within REAP and BCAP.

Lloyd Ritter, director of the Agriculture Energy Coalition, states:

“ The Coalition thanks all of the Senators involved in the passage of the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill. The inclusion of mandatory funding for energy title programs will support more than 1.5 million U.S. workers who manufacture renewable chemicals and biobased products. The programs are essential to rural communities, helping rural businesses, farms and ranches secure more than $5 billion in private investment to adopt new renewable energy technologies and generate economic opportunities.

“ As the 2018 Farm Bill moves to conference between the House and Senate, the Coalition looks forward to working with members from both chambers to secure this mandatory funding in the final 2018 Farm Bill to create good paying jobs, strengthen rural economies across the nation and make additional improvements to the underlying legislation.”