September 22-24, 2009 - UC Theater, The University of Montana in Missoula

Welcome to the Plum Creek Conference on Forests and Energy

The Plum Creek Conference on
Forests and Energy:
The Economic and Ecological Implications of
Biomass Utilization from Rocky Mountain Forests
September 22-24, 2009

The Plum Creek Conference on Forests and Energy will bring in experts in ecology and economics as well as individuals currently involved in the field of biomass utilization to give lectures and lead workshops that address the following questions:

  •  How can biomass best be used as a source of renewable energy, locally and nationally?
  • What are the ecological implications of utilizing woody biomass and what does this mean for forest management?
  • What is the economic feasibility of utilizing biomass for energy in the Rocky Mountain forest region?

The goal of the conference is to identify the areas of agreement and gaps in knowledge with respect to the sustained use of energy from forests to supply energy needs for people while addressing the broad impacts of a changing global climate.

The conference will consist of a total of three public events. These events are free.

Tuesday, September 22, 3:30-5:30 pm
University Center Theater (UC Third Floor)
Two presentations

  • Forest biomass: Making the most out of scarce natural resources
    Elaine Oneil, Research Scientist at the University of Washington and the Executive Director of CORRIM (Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials)
    Presentation slides (PDF file)
  • Moving biomass: Technology, economics, and feasibility
    Robert Rummer, Project Leader, Forest Operations Research to Achieve Sustainable Management
    Presentation slides (PDF file)

Click here to view the above presentations

Wednesday, September 23, 3:30-5:30 pm
University Center Theater (UC Third Floor)
Two presentations

  • Sustainable biomass energy: Public policy opportunities
    Andrea Colnes, Policy and Development Director, Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC), Montpelier VT
    Presentation slides (PDF file)
  • Rekindling Wood Energy in America: What wood teaches us about energy
    Daniel deB. Richter Jr., Professor of Soils and Forest Ecology, University Program in Ecology, Southern Center for Sustainable Forests, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC
    Presentation slides (PDF file)

Click here to view the above presentations

Thursday, September 24, 7:00-9:00 pm
University Center Theater (UC Third Floor)
Interactive panel discussion with Colnes, Richter, Rummer, and Oneil.

Click here, wait for the video to load, and then click “on demand” (next to “on air”) to view the above panel discussion.