MISSISSIPPI STATE – Citizens, developers and policymakers in the renewable energy industry across the South who want a clean, vibrant and secure energy future can explore options at an upcoming two-day conference in Tunica.

The Ninth Annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference will be April 13-14 at Harrah’s Resort Hotel. The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council hosts the annual state conference.

“This year’s conference will continue cooperative efforts among leaders in Mississippi and the Southeast to bring a new energy economy to life,” said Joe Jordan, director of Mississippi State University’s Industrial Outreach Service.

Council members have a special registration rate of $199 per person while registration for other participants is $249 per person. To preregister, visit http://www.ms-biomass.org. Mail the form with payment to Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council, P.O. Box 9642, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Participants can also register on-site at the conference.

Participants can contact Harrah’s Resort at 1-866-635-7095 for reservations. The hotel is offering a special rate of $59 per night for rooms still available.

The conference theme is “Growing the Regional Bio-based Economy.” Sessions are divided into the topics of regional energy technologies, regional leaders in a bio-based economy, energy policy perspectives and planning for the future.

“We hope the conference will challenge participants to work tirelessly this year to develop a long-range plan to grow a vibrant industrial sector focused on our home-grown biomass resources and renewable energy technologies that researchers are developing,” Jordan said.

For more information, contact Lydia Allison of the MSU Industrial Outreach Service at (662) 325-0479 or lallision@ios.msstate.edu, or Jordan at (662) 325-0513 or jjordan@ios.msstate.edu.

Writer: Patti Drapala