NCGA Notes Registration Now Open for USDA-DOE National Renewable Energy Conference (7-26-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) alerts growers that registration is now open for “Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance,” a national renewable energy conference that will be hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Oct. 10-12 at America’s Center in St. Louis.

The conference will give producers an opportunity to interact with government officials and private investors looking to develop renewable energy sources. The conference aims to fulfill the goals highlighted in President George W. Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative, which hopes to reduce our consumption of foreign oil and bring more renewable technologies to Americans.

“NCGA has advocated developing renewable energy technologies for several years,” said NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson. “Corn growers led the movement to establish corn-based ethanol as an efficient and reliable biofuel, and we have several renewable technologies in development that will move the United States from a hydrocarbon-based economy to a carbohydrate-based one. NCGA is excited this conference is taking place in the middle of the Corn Belt, giving several of our members and farmers interested in renewable technologies the ability to attend.”

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman are scheduled to give remarks at the event. Topics will focus on market development, business partnerships, and distribution systems. Johanns said the conference will provide business opportunities for rural America.

“We must work together to keep America competitive by expanding sustainable, market-driven, domestic energy sources,” said Johanns. “The October conference will build upon the president’s vision for overcoming our energy challenges and will create new opportunities in rural communities.”

Attendance is open to the public. USDA and DOE expect attendees to come from several backgrounds, including renewable energy, transportation, large- and small-scale farming, finance and investment officials, academia, and federal, state, government and elected officials.

For more information and to register for the conference, visit: http://www.AdvancingRenewableEnergy.com.