CEA Discusses Agriculture and Energy Policy in St Augustine

Earlier today, Thursday, June 27, at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in St Augustine, Consumer Energy Alliance-Florida hosted an Agriculture and Energy Policy Luncheon featuring updates on agriculture and energy policy issues, in partnership with the Agriculture and Environment Council of the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce.

Florida has been an agricultural state throughout its modern history, and energy supply has become an increasingly important factor in farm production. Discussions focused on key issues regarding the role that the Florida agriculture industry has on energy policy.

“We are beginning to tap our potential – for example, a facility nearing completion will use advanced combustion technology to efficiently convert forest products into energy for use by residents of Gainesville,” said Kevin Doyle, CEA Florida Executive Director. “Even on smaller farms, solar offers an abundant potential source of power for livestock watering, electric fencing and lighting.”

America must have a coherent energy policy that takes into account all aspects of life in Florida – including our essential agriculture sector, Doyle, who is a former State Director for US Senator Mel Martinez, pointed out. In addition to Doyle, Bruce Hallett, owner and President of Matanzas Geosciences and Chairman of the Chamber’s Agriculture and Environment Council, was a presenter at the briefing.

“Florida has some 47,500 farms ranging from small family operations to large commercial enterprises,” Doyle went on to say. “Florida has been a leader in trying to find new crops that can be used to produce energy without competing with the food supply for people and livestock.”

Doyle also touched upon the importance of what he called an “all of the above” energy policy and discussed how important it is for the federal government to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Consumer Energy Alliance brings together consumers, producers and manufacturers to engage in a meaningful dialogue about America’s energy future. The mission of CEA is to help ensure stable prices for consumers and energy security. They believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all consumers to actively engage in the conversation about how to develop and diversify the energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. CEA promotes a thoughtful dialogue to help produce an abundant energy supply, and balance our energy needs our with our nation’s environmental and conservation goals.