'Small Scale Wind Project Development and Financing' Workshop to Promote Renewable Energy and Financial Opportunities to Colorado's Eastern Plains.

DENVER -- On Thursday, April 20, renewable energy and financial experts will conduct a free workshop, "Small Scale Wind Project Development and Financing," to promote renewable energy and financial opportunities to Colorado's Eastern Plains. The workshop is targeted to landowners interested in harnessing wind energy in projects sized 35kW to 300kW, as well as those interested in learning about renewable energy grant opportunities from the Farm Bill. The workshop will be held at Burlington's Old Town Museum from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The workshop is hosted by the Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

OEMC will begin the workshop with its "Small Wind Applications Guide" that covers the steps necessary to put up a wind turbine in three different phases. A question and answer period, led by Trudy Forsyth, a senior project leader in small wind energy research and development with NREL, will follow the viewing of the Guide.

Linda Sundine, business and community programs specialist from USDA Rural Development, will work through a USDA Sample Grant application for projects under $200,000. Under the Farm Bill, Rural Development administers the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program. This program provides funding to farmers and/or small businesses to assist with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Linda Sundine will provide information concerning applying for a small wind project through this program. A session covering the technical parts of the sample grant will follow this and be led by NREL's Trudy Forsyth.

The workshop is being held in order to promote renewable energy and financial opportunities to Colorado's Eastern Plains. To learn more about the event, please call OEMC's Angela Crooks at 303-866-2309 or [e-mail]. Please RSVP to Darlene Scott at 719-346-4644 by April 19.

Event Details:

--RSVP: By April 19 to Darlene Scott, 719-346-4644

--Location: Old Town Museum, 420 S. 14th Street, Burlington, CO

--Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006

--Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon

--Directions: I-70 east to exit #437 the Lincoln Exit, turn left (north) into town to the first stop light-Rose Ave, turn right (east) to the 2nd stop-14th Street, turn right (south) and follow 2 blocks to the museum. Enter through the main entrance.

--Event is free, refreshments will be provided.