By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Illinois county Farm Bureaus statewide have joined forces with a coalition of trade, economic development and business groups to bring the number of organizations comprising Illinois’ new 25x25 Renewable Energy Alliance to over 120.

The group will work together to ensure Illinois supports the national goal of producing 25 percent of the country’s energy from renewable resources by the year 2025.

“On August 21 we kicked off the 25x25 Illinois Renewable Energy Alliance at the University of Illinois,” said Pike-Scott County Farm Bureau Manager Blake Roderick. “The national alliance was organized a couple of years ago. Each of the states is now looking at forming their own alliance with the same goals as the national 25x25.”

The 25x25 action plan calls for supportive government policies in the areas of increased production and delivery of renewable energy, expanded markets, improved energy efficiency and productivity and strong conservation of natural resources and the environment.
The plan will increase farm income by $180 billion and create 220,000 new jobs, mostly in rural areas, according to proponents.
In Illinois, the success of 25x25 could result in $40 billion in new economic output, the production of 84 million dry tons of agricultural and cellulosic feedstocks, seven billion gallons of ethanol and 72 million gallons of biodiesel. Also, $3 billion more in farm income is anticipated in the state.

“Rural Illinois will become successful from 25x25 by having ag groups active in promoting and pursuing renewable energy opportunities,” said Roderick. “Ag remains the main economic engine for many of these communities. When we look at 25x25 opportunities, we’re looking at biomass, corn ethanol, soy diesel and forest products, as well as wind and hydroelectric power.”

In addition to labor, economic development, ag and business groups, Illinois 25x25 is comprised of several state universities and community colleges. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, along with U.S. senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), former Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and seven others from the state have indicated support for the alliance’s goals.

“We haven’t yet officially approached the Illinois General Assembly with this resolution, but we expect that will happen during the next session,” Roderick said.

“We need to become more energy self-sufficient, and the pioneers of ethanol and biodiesel (were) that many years ago. We’re building on that to help this nation achieve that vision.”

As of Aug. 21, two-thirds of Illinois county Farm Bureau offices had declared individual support for 25x25.

“We will renew our push for membership during the upcoming fall and winter. We’re pursuing a vision of renewable energy being a big part of the energy component in the U.S.; we feel strongly that it can be done,” said Roderick.

The Illinois 25x25 Renewable Energy Alliance was spearheaded by former U.S. Rep. Tom Ewing (R-Ill.), who serves on the national 25x25 steering committee.