The U.S. Agriculture Department is celebrating Bioenergy Awareness this week. The even will feature exhibits on agriculture and natural resource-based renewable energy research, energy efficiency and education programs in Washington on June 19, 20, 21 and 22 as part of Bioenergy Awareness Days. The USDA, in partnership with 25×25, will also announce Grand Challenge essay winners on agriculture and natural resource based renewable energy and energy conservation and efficiency.
USDA agencies, private sector organizations, and universities from across the country will travel to Washington to exhibit in front of the Whitten Building and at the National Arboretum. 55 exhibits will be at the Whitten Building and 35 will be at the Arboretum, including a special Power Plant display of 21 plants that offer bio-energy options.
Government and private sector spokespeople, researchers, and university representatives will respond to questions about important renewable energy issues making today’s headlines.
Exhibits open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The Whitten exhibits close on Friday. The Arboretum exhibits open at 8 a.m. and are also open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In April 2004, POET began full production at an ethanol plant in Ashton. Electricity is generated by a natural gas-fired turbine, which requires approximately 16 percent less fuel than typical on-site thermal generation and purchased electricity. Based on this comparison, the system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 18,900 tons per year, which is equivalent to removing the annual emissions from 3,100 cars or planting 3,900 acres of forest.
The East Kansas Agri-Energy dry mill ethanol plant in Garnett, Kan., began production in 2005. The steam turbine system generates approximately one-third of the facility’s electrical demands. It requires approximately 23 percent less fuel than typical on-site thermal generation and purchased electricity. Based on this comparison, the plant reduces carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 14,500 tons per year, which is equivalent to removing the annual emissions from 2,400 cars or planting 3,000 acres of forest.
According to Dr. Robert Zubrin, author of “
“In the beginning of February of this year, ethanol consumption surpassed that of gasoline,” Joel Velasco of the Brazilian Sugar Cane Industry Association said during an update on Brazil’s ethanol industry at the 2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Nashville Tuesday. “My friends, that is a big victory. The oil company now is in a corner.”
“One, would be to take pen to paper and write your own op-ed to your local paper and let them know what ethanol means to your company and your local community and begin to fight back,” said 
The ethanol industry is mad and they’re not going to take it anymore. 
With a ribbon cutting by ethanol industry representatives from the United States and Russia, the 2008 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop officially opened Monday evening in Nashville. 
What debuted as a concept vehicle just three years ago will soon be driving on American roads, running on hydrogen and producing nothing but water for exhaust.