Be it resolved that the North Dakota Grain Growers Association supports an effort by Congress to develop comprehensive energy legislation that:

  •  Promotes innovations and technologies that make present fuel sources more efficient and environmentally friendly

  •  Reduce United States dependence on foreign energy

  •  Is cost effective for energy consumers and producers

  •  Promote alternative fuel sources

  •  Is phased in as new technologies become available in a cost-effective manner

  •  Has world-wide buy-in and acceptance, especially from China and India

  •  Takes into account the agricultural sector’s energy dependence so that negative impacts and unintended consequences to agriculture are minimized as much as possible

  •  Takes into account the overall effect on the United States economy as to minimize potential negative impacts and unintended consequences

   •  Protects the environment in a reasonable and responsible manner

Be it further resolved that the North Dakota Grain Growers Association opposes the Waxman-Markey Climate legislation and other current climate change proposals now under consideration because they:

  •  Have a severe adverse impact on the United States economy

  •  Will have little or no positive impact on the world’s climate

  •  Do not have world-wide buy-in and support, especially from China and India

  •  Are not well thought out or well planned

  •  Negatively impact agricultural production costs

  •  Provide little or no agricultural economic benefits

  •  Will skyrocket food costs worldwide making food unaffordable

This resolution has been brought forth before the NDGGA 2009 Annual Meeting has taken place because of the timing and importance of the climate change issue to wheat and barley producers in North Dakota.