Cantwell To Host Biofuels Forum In Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell Cantwell is co-sponsoring legislation that would establish the Advanced Research Projects Energy Act. The purpose of the bill is to fund groundbreaking research and development of clean, reliable alternative fuel sources -- such as biofuels -- to boost America's economy, create jobs and bolster national security.

Representatives from Cantwell's office will conduct a biofuels forum in Ellensburg on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the Kittitas Valley Events Center, located on the Kittitas County Fairgrounds.

"Biodiesel and ethanol are becoming increasingly cost competitive," Cantwell says. "With vision and focus, we can capitalize on American ingenuity, put Washington farmers in the fuel business and break our dependence on foreign oil."

Both biofuels can be produced from a variety of different agricultural crops. When used for fuel, they each emit less pollution than traditional petroleum-based energy sources.

Last October, Cantwell convened the Biofuels Business Collaborative comprised of Washington businesses, farmers, investors and fuel consumers -- to help establish an economically viable, environmentally friendly domestic industry that can produce an alternative to imported petroleum.

The Ellensburg forum will include two panel discussions and a presentation by Central Washington University faculty and staff. The first forum is "An Overview of Government Funded Research on Bio-Fuels and Alternative Fuels in Washington." The second will be "Bio-Fuels: What is happening locally?" Dr. Steven Verhey, CWU biological sciences professor, will serve on that panel.

The CWU presentation will focus on current and proposed research projects at CWU related to biofuels production, conversion and commercialization. A discussion and a question-and-answer period will follow the panel discussions and presentation.

For more information about the Ellensburg biofuels forum, to be hosted by members of Cantwell's staff, call (509) 946-8106.

Contact: Kristin Eby (509-946-8106/fax 509-946-6937/e-mail: Kristin_Eby@cantwell.senate.gov)

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