The benefits of using biomass as feedstock for bioenergy include reduction of the use of nonrenewable fuels, less dependency on foreign oils, stabilization of income in rural areas, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.  This conference explores the opportunities and obstacles that the wood products industry in West Virginia and the Appalachian region must address relative to ethanol production.   

If you buy, sell or produce wood residues, you will definitely want to attend this conference.  If you are affiliated with the forest products industry in West Virginia and the Appalachian region you will want to attend to learn more about the financial and economic opportunities of cellulosic ethanol production from woody biomass. 

Conference topics include national and regional biomass availability, policies, conversion and harvest technologies, and bio-based materials opportunities in the Appalachian Region. 

Sawdust residue being loaded into a truck at a small lumber mill in West Virginia – Will this residue be used for ethanol production in coming years?


Why a conference on ethanol?

West Virginia is the third most heavily forested state in the nation and has abundant woody biomass resources. 
Studies suggest that over 10 tons of wood residues per acre remain on site after a typical harvest.  Wood residues from mill facilities, like chips and sawdust, have some current value.  Could these by-products increase in value with the introduction of regional ethanol production facilities? 

What other impacts would the Appalachian forest products industry face if ethanol production becomes a national focus? How can the forest products industry in West Virginia and the Appalachian region effectively develop ethanol production capabilities? This conference explores the opportunities and obstacles that the wood products industry in West Virginia and the Appalachian region must address relative to ethanol production.

With the assistance of the West Virginia Division of Energy of the State Department of Commerce, the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources at West Virginia University is offering the first major conference to explore the use of wood residues to produce cellulosic ethanol in West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

Who should attend?

If you buy, sell, or produce wood residues, you will want to attend this conference.  Topics to be discussed will include: National and regional biomass availability, policies, conversion technologies, and bio-based materials opportunities in the Appalachian Region.

Dates and Location:

September 5th and 6th 2007
National Conservation Training Center (NCTC)
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

Lodging and meals:

A block of rooms have been reserved for the conference.  West Virginia University will be responsible for making your lodging reservations.  Registrations should be made no later than 15 days prior to September 5th, 2007.  The cost of your lodging and meals will be included in your registration fee.
Registration fee:  $125.00

For registration information:

Sue Dimmick
WVU Division of Forestry
(304) 293-2941 ext. 2490