UMN News, MN
04-05-06
A look at the impact of an economy based on bio-fuels is the subject of U of M
lecture
When:
2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
Where:
Borlaug Hall, Room 335, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul
Who:
Bruce Dale, a Michigan State University chemical engineering professor,
Richard Cruse, an Iowa State University soil science professor, Minnesota
State Rep. Al Juhnke
Contact:
Satish Gupta, U of M Soil, Water and Climate Department, (612) 625-1241
John Byrnes, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, (612)
625-4743
Jeff Falk, University News Service, (612) 626-1720
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (4/5/2006) -- The impact of an economy based on
bio-fuels will be outlined at an event being held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19,
Borlaug Hall, St. Paul. Speakers will describe the impact of increased bio-energy
use on the economy and on soil and water quality.
The lecture is part of the fourth annual William E. Larson and Raymond R.
Allmaras Emerging Issues in Soil and Water lecture sponsored by the U of M
Soil, Water and Climate Department. “Minnesota has the potential to be in the
driver's seat of the renewable fuels economy. The University of Minnesota is a
key resource in providing the bio-fuels technology and analyzing the impact of a
bio-fuels economy,” said Charles Muscoplat, vice president and dean, College of
Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences.
The potential scale of the bio-based economy, how it may develop, factors
affecting its growth and related topics will be outlined by Bruce Dale, a Michigan
State University chemical engineering professor. Richard Cruse, an Iowa State
University soil science professor and a University of Minnesota graduate, will
discuss how the removal of above ground biomass affects soil and water
resources and the status of the science that may be used to regulate biomass
removal. In addition, Minnesota State Rep. Al Juhnke will comment on the
importance of bioenergy to rural Minnesota.
The lecture is free and will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m in Room 335 of Borlaug
Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul. The event is part of annual lecture
series called Emerging Issues in Soil and Water that is sponsored by the
University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate.
More information on the lecture is available on the department's Website,
http://www.soils.umn.edu or by contacting Satish Gupta at sgupta@umn.edu or
(612) 625-1241.