|
Home
Community
Facilities
Administrative
Homes
For Sale
|
 |
“Integrating technicalexpertise with rural innovation to increase Nebraska’srenewable energyportfolio.”
|
  |
|
|
University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus Union 301 East Union, 35th & Holdrege Street Lincoln, NE |
|
|
|
|
|
Conference Agenda 8:00 — 9:15 AM Registration 9:15 AM—4:00 PM Conference In Session Luncheon buffet will be provided for all pre-registered attendees.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Mr. Tom Dorr, Under Secretary of Rural Development
Thomas C. Dorr was appointed by President George W. Bush to be the Under Secretary for Rural Development and was sworn into office by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on July 27,2005. As Under Secretary, Mr. Dorr oversees USDA Rural Development policies and programs. Rural Development consists of three program areas; business, utilities and housing that provide $15 billion annual funding authority for loans, grants, and technical assistance to rural residents, communities, and businesses and an $92 billion portfolio of existing business, housing, and infrastructure loans to rural America. Prior to his current service at the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Dorr was the President of a family agribusiness company. Mr. Dorr, from Marcus, Iowa, graduated from Morningside College with a B.S. degree in business administration.
Luncheon Speaker: Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, First District of Nebraska
Jeff Fortenberry was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November of 2004 to represent Nebraska’s First Congressional District. He is an experienced public servant prepared to meet the challenges before the United States Congress, and is committed to representing the interest of the people of eastern Nebraska. In Congress, Jeff has numerous committee and subcommittee assignments. His service on the Agriculture Committee includes sitting on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research; the Subcommittee on Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry; and the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
WELCOME SPEAKER: Mr. Scot Blehm, State Director, Nebraska Rural Development
Scot Blehm was appointed to the position of Nebraska State Director for USDA Rural Development by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and the Bush Administration on April 19, 2005. Prior to his appointment, Blehm served as Rural Initiatives Director for Congress- man Tom Osborne in the Scottsbluff, Nebraska office. Blehm directed Congressman Osborne’s rural development agenda, served as the project leader in creating ‘Rural Economic Development’ and ‘Entrepreneurship’ handbooks, and hosted numerous conferences to promote opportunities in rural Nebraska.
Noon Luncheon: Moderator: Scot Blehm, Nebraska State Director Presenters: Congressman Jeff Fortenberry State Senator Don Preister Ann Selzer, UNL Research Center Congressman Jeff Fortenberry supports Nebraska’s growth as a national leader in renewable energy production. Listen to Congressman Fortenberry discuss federal policies regarding renewable energy. Get an update on state and Federal energy legislation, funding, incentives and program. Topics such as the status of net metering, renewable energy incentives and production tax credits. Also hear about the University’s Nebraska Center for Energy Science and Research.
Breakout Discussion: Methane Digester: Moderator: Chris Taylor, AgStar Panel Members: Frank Thompson Nebraska Public Power District Danny Kluthe, Owner/Operator Al Goldberg, Iowa DNR National Renewable Energy Laboratory The panel discussion will include a Nebraska owner/operator of a methane digester and technical resource providers from Nebraska Public Power District, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Learn about technologies utilized in various types of digesters, the costs, advantages and risks involved in methane digesters, and how this technology helps manage livestock manure issues.
Wind: Panel Members: Dave Rich, Nebraska Public Power District Ryan Wolf, MN wind developer/owner Todd Venalsky, John Deere Finance John Dixon, Dixon Power Charles Newcomb, Entegrity The panel will integrate public and private wind expertise. Panel topics will include a discussion of commercial, community and small wind development opportunities in Nebraska. Learn about the rapidly evolving wind turbine technology, costs, challenges, opportunities, various wind development models and where to find financial and planning resources.
Biomass: Moderator: Robert Byrnes, NE Renewable Energy Association Panel Members: Doak Nickerson, Forest Service Loren Isom, UNL Industrial Ag Products Center National Renewable Energy Laboratory The panel will pool resources from the Federal, state and local, public and private sectors. Discussion will cover success stories on operating a bio-mass facility, as well as what Nebraska can offer in regard to bio-mass fuels and practical applications of biomass projects. Learn about current research and development of biomass products. Biomass discussions from agricultural stover, forest material, waste wood, bio-fuels, biomass equipment, to new technologies are all a part of this session.
Geo-Thermal: Panel Members: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Darrell Brewster, Lincoln Electric Steve Zach, Nebraska Public Power District Learn about the geo-thermal resources in the ground that we walk on. Information will be shared on ground source heating systems and how this technology might work in your facility. System technology, installation methods, costs and potential savings from this highly efficient heating/cooling system will be discussed.
Energy Efficiency Improvements: Moderator: Lynn Chamberlin, Nebraska Energy Office Panel Members: Craig Bernstein, EPA Cory Fuehrer, Nebraska Public Power District The panel will team up various Federal, state and utility energy experts. Discussion will include a wide range of energy efficiency opportunities in your business or farm operation. Topics will include farm irrigation applications, grain drying, refrigeration, heating/cooling, lighting, industrial applications, building envelope applications and many other energy savings opportunities.
Funding Opportunities: Panel Members: Karissa Hagedorn, USDA Rural Development Bruce Hauschild, Nebraska Energy Office Natural Resources Conservation District Chet McLaughlin The panel will provide detailed discussion on various financial resources that can be utilized on energy efficiency improvement projects and renewable energy systems. Panel discussion will provide attendees information on grant and loan opportunities from Federal and State resources.
“How to Apply for 9006” Panel Members: Cliff Kumm, USDA Rural Development Charles Newcomb, Entegrity This breakout will cover how to apply for the 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant and Guaranteed Loan Program. Last year USDA Rural Development in Nebraska received 154 awards for grants and guarantees for energy projects. Hands-on assistance will be available to you in this session to help you apply for the 9006 USDA Rural Development Grant Program.
General Outlook Overview: Moderator: Prem Paul Panel Members: Nebraska Ethanol Board Nebraska Corn Board Nebraska Soybean Board Nebraska Pork Producers Nebraska Cattleman Association This panel is a collaborative effort by Nebraska’s leading commodity boards. Discussion will include various energy related tips that affect today’s ag producer.
Bio-Diesel/Ethanol: Panel Members: Loren Isom, UNL, Industrial Ag Products Center Technical Service Providers This panel will link future owners of bio-fuels facilities with technical resource providers as well as funding opportunities. This session is highly recommended for anyone interested in the bio-fuels industry.
|
|
To register: Please send this portion, or you may download the registration in pdf format by clicking here, along with the registration fee of $20.00 to:
CenSara— Funding the Future of Renewable Energy 10005 S Pennsylvania Suite C Oklahoma City, OK 73159 405-378-7377 Accepted Methods of Payment: Cash or Check
Registration Deadline: February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
_____________________________________________ NAME _____________________________________________ AGENCY _____________________________________________ ADDRESS _____________________________________________ PHONE _____________________________________________
|
|
| Please select 3 breakout sessions you may be interested in. | |||
| __ | Methane Digesters | __ | Wind |
| __ | Biomass | __ | Geo-Thermal |
| __ | Bio-Diesel/Ethanol | __ | General Outlook |
| __ | Energy Efficiency Opportunities | __ | "How to Apply for 9006" |
 |
|||
|
Conference Sponsors |
|
|
|
The mission of Blue Skyway’s Collaborative is to improve the quality of life in North America’s Heartland by re- ducing our air pollution through collaboration and innovations in fuel and energy use. |
|
|
The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is to increase economic oppor- tunity and improve the quality of life for all rural Americans. USDA has the unique responsibility of coordinating Federal assistance to rural areas of the nation. |
|
|
The mission of the Nebraska Energy Office is to promote the efficient, economic and environmentally responsible use of energy. The vision of the NEO is for Nebraska to have reliable and affordable sources of energy that support a cleaner environ- ment and ensure security for our lifestyle and economy. |
 |
|
|
For information on USDA Rural Development Energy Programs contact: |
|
|
State Office (Lincoln): 402-437-5568 Karissa Hagedorn karissa.hagedorn@ne.usda.gov
Beatrice Office: 402-223-3125 x4 Cliff Kumm cliff.kumm@ne.usda.gov Deb Yocum debra.yocum@ne.usda.gov
|
|
