Monday, April 20, 2009

7:00 am Pre-Conference Workshop Registration and Morning Coffee

Opening Address:
8:00 Emerging Advanced Biofuels Energy Policies and Programs Under the Obama Administration 
Roger Conway, Director, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, OCE, USDA

8:40 Directions, Policies and Programs for Bioenergy Research in the USDA

Robert Fireovid, National Program Leader – Bioenergy, USDA Agricultural Research Service

A major goal of USDA bioenergy research is the integration of bioenergy production into agricultural operations so as to minimize the impact on traditional agricultural products such as food, feed and fiber. This talk will outline current USDA programs in bioenergy research.

9:10 Department of Energy Renewable Energy Programs – Biofuels Outlook and Opportunities

Valri Lightner, Acting Biomass Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy

Federal support is crucial to enable the transition from first-generation to second-generation biofuels. The Department of Energy (DOE) is involved in research, development and demonstration of biofuels across the supply chain including feedstocks, production and logistics, conversion, distribution infrastructure and end-use in support of the advanced biofuels component of the renewable fuels standard, which requires 21 billion gallons per year of advanced biofuels by 2022. The DOE also has an important role in boosting this growing biofuels industry through loan guarantees. We will examine the funding opportunities and goals of the DOE programs.

9:40 BioFuel Development and Co-Products: Opportunities and Challenges and the FDA

Linda Benjamin, Ph.D., Regulatory Chemist, Animal Feed Safety Team, FDA/Center for Veterinary Medicine

Industry, government, etc. are currently working with a number of organizations to help promote the commercialization of biofuels.  One issue of major importance is the potential value of byproducts from this industry. Economic models for cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and advanced biofuels, or 2nd-generation biofuels, depend on such byproducts.  Currently, utilizing these byproducts as animal feed ingredients is the most attractive because it is has the highest value.  Therefore, it is critical that the biofuel industry is aware of the regulatory requirements associated with an animal feed ingredient before the introduction of these ingredients into the market place.

10:10 Networking Coffee Break with Poster and Exhibit Viewing

10:30 Industrial Biotechnology Research and Development for Renewable Energy Government Funding Opportunities

Jennifer Hannesschlager, Ph.D., Managing Director, Washington DC, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

As a result of energy security and environmental concerns, energy-related mandates in the U.S. and abroad, including in the EU and South America, are driving renewable energy research and development.  Industrial biotechnology will play a critical role in efforts to reduce global warming and mitigate climate change concerns. This government funding presentation will address priorities and mechanisms for research and development opportunities for the application of industrial biotechnology to mitigate climate change and energy security concerns. Converting renewable feedstocks instead of fossil fuels into biofuels will aid in reducing energy and environmental concerns.  For example, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 sets higher fuel economy standards for automobiles and mandatory requirements for biofuels usage by fuel producers. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated the Biomass Program to enhance research and development of biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies. In 2007, DOE awarded over $1 billion for multi-year biofuels related projects.  In addition to directly appropriated funding for reducing fossil fuel usage and energy efficiency, the focus on clean-energy resources and climate change will generate unique opportunities in the near and long-term through state and federal legislative action. For example, the bi-partisan Lieberman-Warner Bill would mandate a cap on industrial greenhouse gas emissions and gradually reduce emissions using a market-oriented cap-and-trade system in which allowances to emit greenhouse gases can be bought and sold. This would require greenhouse gas allowances to be auctioned off, with a portion of the proceeds going to renewable and other clean energy technologies. The reinvestment of proceeds will potentially create and generate a huge market for alternative energy technologies with estimates being in the billions. We will examine the immense opportunities created by current and pending legislation and the initiatives of the new administration in executing its policies and programs.

11:00 Carbon Cap and Trade Policies and Advanced Biofuel Companies

Rick Gilmore, President and Chief Executive Officer, The GIC Group, Inc.

With a likely U.S. commitment to a national carbon cap and trade system and a pending post-Kyoto Protocol agreement, this session will examine the role of carbon mitigation strategies, regulatory issues and carbon credit markets on the biofuel industry in light of the high emissions levels associated with biofuel plants. 

11:30 Sustainability Standards for Biofuels: Status and Prospects in Europe, and Global Developments

Uwe Fritsche, Ph.D., Head, Energy and Climate Division, Oeko-Institut

The question of sustainable production of biomass for energy, transport fuels, and materials is discussed in a variety of fora, and organizations - especially in Europe, the US, Brazil and in international bodies (e.g. FAO, GBEB, UNEP, UNIDO). Furthermore, sustainability issues are raised in the context of the CDM and global biomass trade. In that regard, the current status of legally implementing sustainability standards is examined with respect to the EU, and prospects of initiatives in the global context are discussed.

12:00 pm  Public Policy and Programs in Advanced Biofuels – Panel Discussion

Moderator: Rick Gilmore, President and Chief Executive Officer, The GIC Group, Inc.

Panelists:

Valri Lightner, Acting Biomass Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy

Robert Fireovid, National Program Leader - Bioenergy

USDA Agricultural Research Service
Roger Conway, Director, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, OCE, USDA
Dr. Jennifer Hannesschlager, Managing Director, Washington DC, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

Uwe Fritsche, Ph.D., Head, Energy and Climate Division, Oeko-Institut

12:30 Luncheon on Your Own (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

For questions about the Advanced Biofuels Development Summit, please contact:
Bill Lundberg
Alliance Director and Senior Conference Producer
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: 781-972-1346
E-mail: blundberg@healthtech.com

For sponsorship or exhibiting information, please contact:
Arnold Wolfson
Business Development
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: 781-972-5431
E-mail: awolfson@healthtech.com

For information about the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) and its Clean Tech and Green Energy Council, please click below:
www.strategic-alliances.org/membership/memberresources/councils/clean-tech-council/index_html
Or contact:
Pam Goodell
Marketing Director
Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals, Inc. (ASAP)
Phone: 781-972-1343
E-mail: pgoodell@strategic-alliances.org