Time to act - energy from domestic resources

Now is the time to think about energy recovery from biomass and waste. With energy prices constantly rising, domestic resources such as wood waste, energy crops, and agricultural "byproducts" like manure are becoming attractive alternatives. And there is more that can be done with waste than just dump it. The State of Pennsylvania has taken the lead with many pathbreaking projects and will be hosting America's first international exhibition and conference on "energy from biomass and waste" (EBW Expo). EBW Expo is scheduled to be held on September 25-27, 2007 at the Pittsburgh Convention Center.

Energy production from biomass and waste is both environmentally and economically attractive. By utilizing domestically available resources like wood waste, energy crops, manure, sewadge sludges, landfill gas, waste coal, municipal and production waste, power can be generated and vehicle fuels can be produced without harmful greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, this creates jobs and growth opportunities for local business, instead of exporting money and employment to other countries. EBW Expo creates a marketplace for domestic vendors, international experts and users of the technology. An educational forum, which offers hands-on information about sustainable energy production and safe waste handling, best-practise-reports, and news-from-the-lab, will be part of the program.

Pennsylvania was chosen as the venue by Germany-based EBW Expo organizer Freesen & Partner GmbH because it provides the ideal setting for the launch. On October 5, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that the Keystone State is investing US$ 6.4 million in 16 clean energy projects that will create 316 permanent and up to 280 construction jobs in the commonwealth, as well as to leverage more than US$ 38 million in private funds. Energy output from the projects, which were approved by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, will generate an estimated 15,710-megawatt hours of electricity, enough to power about 1,600 Pennsylvania homes, and produce the equivalent of enough natural gas to supply almost 2,500 homes for a year. The projects also have the potential to produce 115-million gallons of biofuel.

"Using indigenous resources to power our economy puts Pennsylvanians to work," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "Because of Governor Rendell's leadership, our commonwealth has gained a competitive edge in the manufacturing of state-of-the-art, clean-energy technologies, and we remain at the forefront of building and deploying these alternative energy solutions. That means more jobs, more development, and, in today's rapidly expanding energy market, even more opportunities."

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is a main sponsor of the event. "We are very excited about this new venture", said Ines Freesen, Managing Director of Freesen & Partner. "Pennsylvania is recognized as a leader in sustainable energy production and waste management in Germany and throughout Europe. Therefore, we expect EBW Expo to attract a strong international participation, which will bring new investment to the State."

EBW Expo is scheduled to take place on September 25-27, 2007 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The organizer expects 100 exhibitors to showcase their products and services, and more than 1,000 delegates to visit EBW. To reserve exhibit space, please call +1-207-236-6196 for the U.S. and Canada, or +49-2802-948484-0 for international inquiries, or send an email to: info@ebw-expo.com.


Further information:
Ines Freesen
Freesen & Partner GmbH
Schwalbennest 7a
46519 Alpen, Germany
Tel.: +49-2802-948484-0
Fax: +49-2802-948484-3
Email: info@ebw-expo.com
Web: www.ebw-expo.com