INTERIOR SECRETARY NORTON TO ADDRESS NATIONAL BIOENERGY CONFERENCE

DENVER—March 13, 2006—Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton will address Bioenergy and Wood Products Conference II here next week. The Secretary has been a leader in efforts to encourage utilization of woody biomass to achieve multiple resource goals and to support rural economies in America. Secretary Norton will speak at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 15.

Gov. Bill Owens of Colorado will also address the conference, scheduled for March 14-16 at the Hyatt Convention Center, 650 15th St. Gov. Owens will kick off the conference at the 1 p.m. opening session on Tuesday, March 14. The session will also feature USDA Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey.

“Bioenergy and Wood Products Conference II: Innovations in Restoring Forests and Strengthening Economies” will explore successes and innovations in woody biomass utilization and demonstrate how strong partnerships are developing successful local strategies.

Expert presentations, field tours, displays, poster sessions and other activities will concentrate on utilizing woody biomass from public and private forests as a reliable supply for bioenergy production and wood products businesses. Attendees will explore woody biomass utilization as a source of domestic renewable energy, wildfire management and homeland security.

Regional breakout sessions will give participants the opportunity to network with leaders in the biomass industry from the West, Midwest, South and East. Attendees may sign up for field tours prior to and after the meeting. Tours include the Community Power Corporation in Littleton, the Boulder County Heating Biomass Facility and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

Conference sponsors include the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Energy; USDA Forest Service; Intertribal Timber Council; National Association of Conservation Districts; National Association of Counties; National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils; Society of American Foresters; Western Forestry Leadership Coalition; and Western Governors Association.

For more information on the conference and to register online and make hotel reservations, visit www.nationalbiomassconference.org.

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