Take Action

We All Need to Support Biogas Production and Other Renewable Energies

Contact your local, state, and federal lawmakers to let them know you support and advocate biofuels and biogas production and other renewable energies. See below for optional talking points, tips for contacting policymakers, and layout for correspondence.

Find and contact your state legislators:

For Idaho: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm

For all other states: www.congress.org

Find and contact your federal legislators:

U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov

To monitor and track your representatives, bills, and Congress in general, go to the following link: http://www.govtrack.us/users/aboutmonitors.xpd.

The following article was obtained from the Idaho Farm Bureau publication, Capital Reflections, Issue 4, and is dated February 5, 2007:

“Respondents to a recent Idaho survey overwhelmingly supported incentives for anaerobic digesters, the production of biofuels, and renewable electrical generation. At least 89 percent of respondents either strongly or somewhat agree with providing incentives in each of these areas.

In February 2007, the Energy Policy Institute released a survey revealing the attitudes of Idaho residents about energy use, energy generation, and renewable fuels. The Institute is a part of the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, a partnership between Boise State University, the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, and Idaho National Laboratory. The scientific survey questioned 513 adults from all areas of Idaho and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6 percent.

When questioned about the single most important energy issue facing Idaho today, the top two responses were availability of renewables and the price of gas, each coming in with 18 and 17 percent of responses respectively. Next where water consumption and air pollution with 13 and 11 percent of the total responses.

Interestingly, 75 percent of all respondents agreed that Idaho should set a renewable fuel standard requiring a minimum level of renewable fuels to be sold at retail, with only 15 percent disagreeing and 10 percent undecided. In addition, 88 percent of those surveyed believed that Idaho should provide incentives for a shift towards alternative fuels for transportation.

With no reserves of oil, coal, or natural gas, Idaho has few options but to more fully utilize our abundant agricultural resources to supply our increasing demands for energy. Unless we move in this direction, we will become more dependant on outside sources.

If Idaho does nothing, we can expect to continue to see tight fuel supplies, higher-than-average prices, and no change in local fuel retailer’s interest in providing biofuels. Modest incentives would provide the needed boost to get fuel retailers to consider making the change and provide a choice for consumers.”

Optional Talking Points

	As a citizen, I want to see more energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, and I support policies that help create a more secure, sustainable energy future for the United States.
	I am willing to pay more for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to minimize the risks of global warming, volatile fuel prices, air/water pollution, energy security, and/or threats to long-term economic stability.

	Current energy policy decisions will impact my children, my children’s children and future generations, and I want ALL risks (environmental, economic, and social) evaluated equally in the policy decision-making process.
	Energy efficiency measures save money and help the environment by preventing global warming emissions and other pollutants associated with the combustion of fossil fuels for energy.
	Many communities and local governments are working to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency
	As a concerned citizen, I trust that you are looking out for public health, economic security, and environmental sustainability – I want to see long-term solutions that reflect the growing need for a sustainable energy portfolio.

Tips for Contacting Policymakers

(These tips are courtesy of Utah Clean Energy at www.utahcleanenergy.org.)

	Tell the legislator who you are. Make it clear that you are a constituent (in their state or district), and that you vote. This matters to someone who may be seeking re-election.
	Be brief and to-the-point. Focus your message, make it clear what you want the recipient to do, and make it known early in the email. Try to keep your email to one or two screens (maximum).
	Be informed. In preparation for sending your letter or email, learn about any bill numbers, their current status and timeline, who sponsored the bills and who supports them. Mention these facts in your letter or message.
	Make it personal. You'll make more impact by talking about your concerns and your feelings, and the impact an environmental issue may have on your community or yourself.
	Be polite. An environmental issue may anger you, but an abusive message rarely has an impact. Don't temper your strong feelings, but remember that you are writing to have an impact, not just to get something off your chest. Use your passion constructively.
	Be generous with praise if it is due. If your representative did something you like (especially something you asked them to do), send them a thank-you message for a job well done. Above all else, support "friends" of the environment. In the current political climate, elected officials who support environmental protection need to know their efforts are appreciated.
	Include your physical mailing address at the end of the letter. Due to the way most congressional offices are set up, it is highly likely they will respond to your email message with a letter. (Note: Many congressional offices use an automatic response to all incoming messages, so you can expect to receive an often generic form message back immediately from most of the addresses to which you send a message.)
	Follow your email message with a letter or phone call. Again, email is not the most effective way to make your views known. It is crucial to use other avenues of communication as well.

Layout of Correspondence

First Paragraph: Identify the issue and include any bill numbers and titles. State your support or opposition to any measures.

Second Paragraph: State your position clearly and precisely. Outline arguments supporting your position. Give an alternative if you oppose any measures.

Third Paragraph: Summarize your point of view. Ask your legislator what you want them to do, such as vote for an issue, hold a hearing, or sponsor a bill.

Closing Paragraph: Ask for a response from your legislator. Ask how they will vote on any measures. Say “thank you,” sign your name (in ink for written correspondence), and include your contact information.

Let Your Voice Be Heard. Take Action!