Greene County Commissioner Dave Coonrod and Nathan Jones with Power Source Solar joined Ozarks Today to show us a solar powered truck and talk about energy opportunities right here in the Ozarks.

To see the interview, click on the video icon.

Here's more information from the conference organizers; The Ozarks New Energy Conference: Solutions for Energy Independence April 30 and May 1 at Missouri State University, Springfield, will feature 40 speakers in 24 sessions, many of them speaking about the promise of biomass/biodiesel, wind, solar, hydro and energy efficiency as clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Specific sessions include: Charles Anderson - "Alternative Fuels and Realistic Applications for Your Car, Truck or Tractor," 10:30-12, April 30. Anderson is the founder of Golden Fuel Systems, one of the world's first SVO - straight vegetable oil - companies in Springfield.

Ron LaPlant - "Driving Electric NOW: the Ultimate in Energy-efficient Transportation," 2:45-4:30, April 30. LaPlant is the founder of The Electric Car Company, Farmington, Mo., which manufactures electric cars.

Ian Kurtz and Phil Badger - "Alternatives for Farmers: What to Grow and What to Use for Fuel," 10-11:30, May 1. Kurtz has more than 35 years of experience in grassland management, including warm season grasses like switchgrass, a promising biomass fuel. Badger is president of Renewable Oil International, which is developing a fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass into fuel.

Steve Flick - "Economic Development Opportunities for Biomass in Missouri," 10-11:30, May 1. Flick is the founder and chair of Show Me Energy Cooperative, the first U.S. producer-owned biomass cooperative, which converts previously unused seed hulls into fuel pellets for creating electricity right here in Missouri.

Rick Holmes - "Energy-efficiency Tips for Home and Office, 2:45-4:30, April 30. Holmes, with Associated Electric Cooperative, will cover how to become more energy efficient.

Frank Costanza - "The Promise of Wind in Missouri: Economic Development Opportunities," 10:30-12, April 30. Costanza is senior vice president of corporate development for TradeWind Energy, one of the Midwest's leading wind developers.

Bob Solger and Nathan Jones - "Solar and Wind Applications in Your Home," 10:30-12, April 30. Solger is president of The Energy Savings Store, which provides solar and wind installations throughout Missouri, and Jones is president of Power Source Solar, a local solar installer. They will cover the options, costs, tax credits, permits and how to's of applications for homeowners. home.

Jason Hines and Derrick Standley - "Economic Development Opportunities for Landfill Gas and Small Hydro in Missouri," 2-3, May 1. Hines, vice president of project development for Free Flow Power Corporation, will discuss how Missouri's unique hydrology positions the state as a potential leader in the emerging hydrokinetic renewable energy industry. Standley, president of Genesis Solid Waste Group, Inc., will explore the potential to mine landfills for methane gas. ONE 2 is limited to 500 attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration at www.ozarksnewenergy.org at $75 per person.

The most recent sponsors for the ONE 2 Conference are Associated Electric Cooperative, TradeWind Energy and the National Biomass Producers Association. Previously announced sponsors are Drury University, Greene County, Killian Construction Co., Missouri Heartland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Missouri State University Public Affairs and College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Partnership for Sustainability, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Watts Radiant and Wind Capital Group.