Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Highlights Renewable Energy Opportunities At AG Progress Days

August 15, 2007 -- ROCK SPRINGS, Centre County – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry is helping to secure the state’s energy independence.

Nearly 900 guests gathered to hear the Governor’s message at the Government & Industry Day Luncheon at Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition.

“As the state’s largest industry, agriculture contributes greatly to Pennsylvania’s economic success and culture,” said Governor Rendell. “In addition to generating billions of dollars in commerce, agriculture plays a key role in preserving our environmental heritage for future generations.

“We welcome the role our agricultural industry is playing – and will continue to play – in helping to secure our state’s energy independence. Reducing Pennsylvania’s reliance on foreign fuels provides an opportunity for homegrown technology to take root.”

The Governor launched the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative last year to utilize the work of Pennsylvania farmers and renewable fuel processors who are producing alternative energy sources like biofuels, which include ethanol, biodiesel and other alternatives like liquid fuels derived from coal.

The goal of the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative is, within the next decade, to replace 1 billion gallons of transportation fuel used in Pennsylvania with domestically produced renewable fuels. With the efforts of Pennsylvania farmers, the commonwealth is expected to have an annual production of more than 60 million gallons of biodiesel by the end of the year and more than 230 million gallons by 2010.

Knowing that corn is already in high demand for feeding Pennsylvania livestock, the Governor is seeking other options for producing ethanol that will still benefit the state’s agricultural industry. Ethanol can also be produced from cellulosic materials including wood and other fibrous plant material. Pennsylvania’s vast forest resources provide a significant competitive advantage for cellulosic ethanol production.

An agricultural alternative energy tent is showcasing Pennsylvania’s renewable energy efforts at Ag Progress Days. Local companies and energy displays address wood-based ethanol, biodiesel, anaerobic digestion of manure and alternative grain fuels.

Ag Progress Days runs Wednesday, Aug. 15, until 8 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Source: Pennsylvania Governor