Bioenergy Scientists to Discuss Latest Innovations at Conference in Washington, D.C., March 10-13

Fuel for the future: Bioenergy scientists to discuss latest innovations at conference in Washington, D.C., March 10-13

WHAT: Sun Grant Initiative Energy ConferenceWHEN: March 10-13WHERE: L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington, D.C.WHO: Hosted by Northeast Sun Grant Center, Cornell UniversityNOTE: Credentialed journalists are welcome to attend the scientific portions of this conference and the trade show. Journalists should register by March 9 by calling Blaine Friedlander, Cornell Press Relations Office, at (607) 254-8093.

Newswise — Fuel moves beyond ethanol: Scientists from all over the United States " who study how to make sustainable bioenergy products " will meet at the Sun Grant Initiative Energy Conference, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C. The meeting is hosted by Northeast Sun Grant Center at Cornell University and organized by Larry Walker, Cornell professor of biological and environmental engineering.

Journalists are invited to attend the lectures, talks, posters and the trade show. The conference will showcase the latest innovative bioenergy research. It will feature a renewable energy industries tradeshow, presentations by experts in biomass production, conversion, renewable energy, markets, government policy and an educational mini-course "Renewable Energy 101" " a primer on the latest hot topics. This course includes in-depth overviews of the technologies, environmental issues and biomass resources.

The conference agenda: http://www.nesungrant.cornell.edu/cals/sungrant/upload/Agenda.pdfAntonio Bento, Cornell associate professor of applied economics and management, will speak on the impact of increased U.S. biofuels mandates; Gary Bergstrom, Cornell professor of plant pathology, will discuss how plant pathogens of biofuel feedstock crops as a source of enzymes for lignocellulosic conversion (making biofuel from agriculture waste and by-product); Pat Brown, Cornell postdoctoral researcher in plant breeding, will talk on hybrid energy sorghums for the Northeast; and Peter Woodbury, Cornell researcher in crops and soils, will discuss the biomass assessment. Walker will moderate the opening plenary session that will feature representatives from the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture.

The Sun Grant Initiative is a national network of land-grant universities and federally funded laboratories working to build a biobased economy. Sun Grant Centers " which include Cornell University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, South Dakota State University and the University of Tennessee " are charged with reviving America's farming communities by creating rural economic development through the production of biobased, renewable energy. Congress authorized the Sun Grant Initiative in the 2002 Farm Bill. It is primarily funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, with substantial funding support from the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture.