As part of the fifth annual Harvest Tour, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff this week visited Ernst Conservation Seeds in northwestern Pennsylvania to learn about switchgrass as an alternative energy resource.

Ernst Seeds is working to perfect a process that will turn switchgrass into pellets, which can then be burned as fuel or, potentially, used for cellulosic ethanol production. If used for biofuel production, Secretary Wolff said switchgrass could create new economic opportunities for Pennsylvania and help protect national security.

“Pennsylvania is situated to benefit greatly from ethanol production using crops such as corn, soybeans and switchgrass,” said Secretary Wolff. “Our growing dependence on fossil fuels from countries that are politically unstable or controlled by regimes hostile to America’s interests is a danger to our national security, and biofuels present a strong alternative.”

Secretary Wolff said that the United States imports 60 percent of its oil, with Pennsylvania spending $30 billion annually on liquid fuels produced beyond the state’s borders.

“We need to take steps now to reduce this dependence, and keep more of that $30 billion here at home, and invest it in our farmers, our communities and our companies. With the strength of our agricultural industry, farmers can play a leading role in Pennsylvania’s drive towards energy independence.”

Switchgrass can grow on marginal ground and adapts to a wide range of soil and climate conditions. Compared to corn, switchgrass also requires less energy to plant, manage and harvest over a number of years.

The annual Harvest Tour includes visits to each of the seven regions in Pennsylvania. He shares the information gathered during the Harvest Tour with Gov. Rendell, who uses it to fine-tune existing programs and establish new initiatives to keep Pennsylvania agriculture growing.

NewsClip: Looking for Renewable Energy? Try Grass

9/28/2007