EERC announces comprehensive "Greening" program for Biomass Workshop The Energy & Environmental Research Center has partnered with the Spitfire Agency, Mill Valley, Calif., to implement a greening program for its upcoming Biomass ’07: Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Workshop, May 15–16. “The EERC is world-renowned for its expertise in developing and commercializing technologies that will enhance our nation’s energy security while improving our environment, and we are extremely pleased to implement this program for our biomass workshop,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. The program will focus on providing the most environmentally sustainable event possible, including waste management, reclamation, and recycling. The EERC and Spitfire are working with the Alerus Center and the City of Grand Forks to reduce the workshop’s overall impact on the environment. For example, public waste reclamation stations will be provided for recycling of all glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard. Convention meals will be served with reusable and washable utensils or will be substituted with compostable items. Plastic cold cups will be replaced with bioplastic cups made from corn, paper cups will be replaced with cups made from compostable materials, and plastic cutlery will be replaced with cutlery made from potatoes. The Alerus Center will provide 100 percent recycled hand towels, napkins, and other paper products as well as bioplastic trash bags and organic hand soaps. All workshop materials will be printed on recycled paper. Any unused food will be delivered to local food banks. “In addition, we will actively promote our sustainability efforts to event attendees and exhibitors so that they too can join us in our efforts to achieve a low-impact event,” said Deb Haley, EERC associate director for marketing, outreach, and administrative resources. “Attendees will receive suggestions on ways in which they can make a positive impact on the environment while attending the workshop.” “Each year, nearly 80 million people around the world attend a conference, meeting, or convention, generating over a quarter of a billion dollars in annual profits. Despite these economic benefits, conventions also have an incredibly high impact on the environment,” said Sarah Haynes, CEO of the Spitfire Agency. “The EERC is an early supporter of the green conference movement, helping to pave the way for those to come. I’m proud to be working with an agency that is paying attention to its impact and is doing all that it can to reduce it.” More than 350 attendees are expected to attend the upcoming Biomass ’07 Workshop. Currently, there are attendees registered from 174 organizations, representing 27 states, three foreign countries, and three Canadian provinces. For more information contact Derek Walters, EERC communications manager, at (701) 777-5113 or dwalters@undeerc.org -- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621