Alexander and Carroll County farmer Randy Long.

Senator Lamar Alexander speaks with Walter Butler and Bob Prosser of Bethel College.

"The actions we take today can lower gas prices today," said Alexander. "The reason that's true is that today's price depends so much upon what the expected supply of and demand for oil will be three to five years from now. As soon as the United States shows that it is committed to producing more and using less oil the price of gasoline will begin to stabilize and go down."

Some critics claim it will take 10 years to produce the oil. Alexander said a comedian recently commented, "That's what they said 10 years ago."

By the year 2010, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and GM will all have plug-in automobiles. In Tennessee, TVA has the reserve generating capacity to produce the electricity during the night hours - when electrical demand is less, he said.

Alexander said the recently passed Farm Bill could help Tennessee farmers because it "reduces the tax credit for corn ethanol and gives a more generous tax credit to produce cellulosic ethanol made from ingredients like switchgrass. It shifts the focus from crops that we eat to crops that we don't eat." Alexander said he voted to override the President's veto to pass the new Farm Bill. He said the bill is not perfect, but it is good bill for agriculture.

The original Manhattan Project included the Oak Ridge Tennessee laboratory. Alexander told the story of President Roosevelt going to the Senator McKeller of Tennessee, who was chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Roosevelt asked McKeller if he could hide $2 billion in appropriations for a project to end WWII. McKeller asked, "Where in Tennessee do you want to hide it." Oak Ridge was born because of that appropriation. Only two products were made from that project and both were the bombs dropped on Japan.

During a speech in May at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Alexander proposed launching a 5-year new Manhattan Project to put America firmly on the path to clean energy independence within a generation. Alexander proposed seven grand challenges to scientists, including making advanced biofuels cost-competitive with gasoline - an innovation Alexander said would greatly benefit Tennessee farmers.

Alexander said he and Congressman John Tanner would meet later in the day at Henning. The senator said Tanner and he were old school politicians - once the election is over, it's time to work together to serve the people. He said he and Tanner are working together on the port in Lake County, an ethanol plant in West Tennessee, and the lake in Carroll County.

Alexander said he has respect for the Tennessee Farm Bureau. He praised Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley for being named "Mayor of the Year" by the Tennessee Municipal League. Kelley was previously commissioner of transportation under (Governor) Alexander's administration. He recalled the time Kelley had his first meeting with the Democratic-controlled committee, who took the opportunity to "grill" Dale. Alexander said the Dems really thought they had Dale, but they were reminded that Dale had been booed by 15,000 people (as a basketball official).

"The goal will be clean energy independence - so that we can deal with rising fuel prices, electricity prices, clean air, climate change and national security - for our country first, and - because other countries have the same urgent needs and therefore will adopt our ideas - for the rest of the world," Alexander said.

Alexander said that the Farm Bill passed by Congress would benefit farmers across the state by:

• Supporting an increase in biofuels production.
• Provides a $1.01-per-gallon tax credit to produce cellulosic ethanol made from ingredients like switchgrass that grows across Tennessee.
• Includes $300 million in mandatory funding for payments to support the production of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol.
• Reduces the blender tax credit for corn ethanol by $0.06 to $0.45 per gallon.
• Expanding broadband service in rural areas.
• Simplifies application requirements for service while shifting assistance toward areas with no or very limited service.
• Expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to Tennessee.
• Program provides locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income school children at no cost.

Last year, Alexander worked with Senator Corker (R-Tenn) to ensure that Tennessee farmers would be eligible to receive direct disaster payments after the devastating droughts. Alexander said that as of July 7th, Tennessee farmers have received:

• $12.3 million under the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP).
• $38.9 million under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP).
• $41,526 under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

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