On December 14, the Senate passed, S. 2302, the "Food and Energy Security Act of 2007," (the "Farm bill"), by a vote of 79-14. There are several important sections of the bill for public power. Under Title 9 of the bill, there is language that makes public power entities eligible for grants and loans under Section 9005 "Biorefinery and Repowering Assistance" and Section 9007 "Rural Energy for America Program." Section 9007 also makes public power entities eligible for federal assistance for renewable energy and energy audit projects.
To view the Senate passed bill, go to: http://216.40.253.202/~usscanf/index.php?option=com_weblinks&task=view&catid=74&id=196
The House passed its version of the Farm bill on July 27, 2007. A House-Senate conference committee is expected to be appointed early next session, to reconcile differences between the two versions.