Northern Plains Biomass Economy: What Makes Sense? 2008

Keynote Address: Scott Stofferahn: Office of Senator Conrad

Session 1 -- National Policy Implications

• Economic analysis of corn and cellulose-based ethanol and impacts on U.S. agriculture – Won Koo, Professor, Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University
• Review Congressional bio-energy mandates and introduce the cellulosic industry – Larry Leistritz, Professor, Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University

Session 2 – Cellulosic Processing Technology

• NDSU/MBI Biomaterials Initiative:  Pretreatment technology – Bernie Steele, Director of Operations, MBI International
• NDSU/MBI Biomaterials Initiative: Nanofibers and composite materials – Lawrence T. Drzal, University Distinguished Professor and Director of the MSU Composite Materials and Structure Center
• Project Liberty – Doug Berven, Director, Corporate Affairs, POET

Session 3 – Production, Harvest and Transportation of Feedstock

• Feedstock Agronomics – Paul Nyren, Director, Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State U.
• Feedstock Economics – Dean Bangsund, Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State U.
• Harvesting, Transportation, and Storage – Francis Epplin, Oklahoma State University
• Feedstock Transportation -- Regional Biomass Processing Centers – Joseph Carolan, Michigan State University

Session 4 – Community and Economic Development Implications

• Community and Regional Socio-Economic Impacts – Nancy Hodur, Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University

• Financing Bio-fuel Projects – David DeVos, AgCountry Farm Credit