RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE PROJECT REACHES COMMERCIALIZATION PHASE THROUGH WALSH'S SUPPORT

(Syracuse, New York)- Congressman Walsh recently visited the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (SUNY-ESF) Tully Field Station to receive an update on its woody biomass/shrub willow project as it reaches commercialization phase.  Since 1995, Walsh has secured over $4.2 million in federal funding to support the renewable energy initiative.

At the event, Walsh received briefings from SUNY ESF President Neil Murphy, Research Scientist and Project Team Leader Tim Volk, and "Greening Afghanistan" Project Leader Dr. Maureen Fellows.  He also witnessed a demonstration of the harvesting process for shrub willows.

The woody biomass project, in work since the mid 1990s, is researching the potential of using shrub willows as an energy source.  Willows offer an energy source that is more efficient and more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, as well as being renewable.

The project has now begun the transition from research to commercial application. Catalyst Renewables Corp. is the owner of the first shrub willow energy crop and plans to expand its operations potentially including some acreage in Onondaga County.  And, Siemens Building Technologies Inc. and the City of Syracuse recently announced plans to build a willow fuel power facility in the city.

For more information and photos of the event, visit the SUNY ESF website at
<http://www.esf.edu/newspubs/news/2006/09.21.willowupdate.htm>

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