American Agri-Women

For more information, contact: Arlene Kovash, VP Communications, 503-838-3512, akovash@earthlink.net

Washington, DC, June 4, 2008 . . . American Agri-Women (AAW) is pleased to announced that this year’s speakers for their symposium, “Energy: The Power to be Affordable and Reliable,” on Monday, June 8, will represent:

• 25 X 25 Renewable Energy Initiative: Goal is to get 25% of America's energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biofuels by 2025. The initiative was first supported by the farm and forestry communities and is now growing a broad base of supporters. Ernest Shea will talk about agricultural and forestry accomplishments and challenges to the renewable energy equation.

• National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association: The NRECA is the national service organization representing the interests of cooperative electric utilities and their consumers. Speaker is Laura Marshall, government relations. She will address clean coal and the national grid system.

• American Petroleum Institute: Will emphasize the development of more domestic oil and natural gas resources to increase the nation's energy security. Speaker is Sara Banaszak, an economist.

• Nuclear Energy Institute: Walter Hill, Senior Director, External Communications, will address the status of nuclear energy, principal policy developments affecting the industry including the demand for affordable power and environmental/clean air issues.

• Department of Energy: The speaker will be from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Their mission is to strengthen America's energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that: enhance energy efficiency and productivity; bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.

Members of the media and all interested parties are invited to attend this Annual Agricultural Issues Symposium on Monday, June 8, 2009, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Symposium will be held in Room 107-A of the Jamie Whitten Administration Building at 12th and Independence Avenue from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This symposium in open to the public and a transcript of the proceedings will be available as soon as possible afterward.

For information please contact AAW president Marcie Williams at president@ americanagriwomen.org, or visit the American Agri-Women web site at http://www.americanagriwomen.org.