Aug. 8--TRAILL COUNTY, N.D. -- As Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., touted the new Energy Reform Act to a group of 30 people Thursday at Mayville (N.D.) State University, he learned that BP and Verenium Corp. had announced a partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol.

"Fantastic," he said.

Cellulosic ethanol is a renewable fuel source produced from biomass-derived products, such as sugarcane waste, switchgrass, rice straw and wood chips.

The news falls right in line of the major goals of the Energy Reform Act of 2008, developed by a bipartisan group of senators referred to as the "Gang of 10."

Conrad visited Mayville and Hillsboro, N.D., on Thursday, the last two stops in a three-day, 11-town tour to address high energy prices and to answer questions from those attending the informal meetings.

Residents raised several issues -- Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement disparities between rural and urban areas, care for veterans, portable electronic medical records, education funding, housing and the credit crunch.

But the conversation invariably returned to energy, from high fuel and fertilizer prices to ethanol, wind and other alternatives.

He highlighted three main goals of the Gang of 10 plan:

n An intensive effort to transition vehicles to

nonpetroleum-based fuels.

n A robust federal commitment to conservation and

energy efficiency.

n Targeted, responsible

domestic production of

energy resources.

"The main goal of the Gang of 10 is to use less and

produce more," he said.

"Our country faces a critical challenge because of skyrocketing energy costs," he said. "This growing crisis is eating into the budgets of families across North Dakota. This is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an issue that affects all of us. I am committed to working with all of my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to resolve the energy crisis. The time for delay is over. We need to act now."

Conrad said North Dakota is well-positioned to be a leader in the path to energy independence, with agriculture, vast amounts of coal, oil development, wind energy and biofuels.

He touted research funding and economic development occurring in technology corridor through the Red River Valley -- mostly at UND and North Dakota State University. He said public schools and universities have to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math.

"We have got to take charge now," he said. "I believe the economic stability of the country is at stake."

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Story Source: Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.)