Announcing the Heating the Midwest 2012 Conference & Expo: Building the Vision

Heating the Midwest (HTM), a regional renewable biomass thermal energy advocacy group, today announced its first annual conference. Titled “Heating the Midwest 2012 Conference and Expo: Building the Vision,” the inaugural event will take place April 25-27, 2012, at the Ramada Convention Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The conference and expo will bring together leaders in the biomass thermal renewable energy industry to discuss and formulate strategies for expanding the use of biomass in the Midwest. The conference program is in development and preliminary topics include biomass resource availability and processing, heating policy, combustion technologies, and success stories of businesses, public buildings and residential properties utilizing biomass for heat, steam, or combined heat and power.

In conjunction with the conference will be indoor and outdoor exposition areas where 30+ biomass-related vendors, businesses and organizations will demonstrate the latest in biomass technologies, information and support.

On April 25, there will be a preconference bus tour of Midwest biomass businesses and installations, including Indeck Energy’s pellet production plant in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, a pellet boiler operation in the Ladysmith School System, a woodchip boiler system at the Barron Area School District and more.

The conference will open on April 26 with a keynote address, followed by plenary and breakout sessions throughout the day. In the evening, there will be a Thermal Heating Fair in the exposition area where expo vendors will provide hands-on insight and educational information about heating homes and businesses with biomass. On Friday, April 27, general sessions and panel discussions will continue, followed by the closing plenary where the Heating the Midwest vision will be unveiled.

Additional information and conference registration can be found at heatingthemidwest.org/conference-info

Heating the Midwest welcomes involvement and participation from individuals and groups who are interested in growing awareness and usage of biomass thermal fuel in the Midwest. Sign up for email updates at www.heatingthemidwest.org and contact any Steering Committee member listed on the site.

About Heating the Midwest

Heating the Midwest (HTM) is a coalition of biomass thermal advocates committed to working together to advance the use of biomass for heating and CHP (combined heat and power) in the Midwest United States. HTM is affiliated with and supported by BERC (Biomass Energy Resource Center), BTEC (Biomass Thermal Energy Council), and PFI (Pellet Fuels Institute). Learn more at www.heatingthemidwest.org.