As concerns over rising prices increase, so does the interest in energy alternatives and conservation.

A conference focusing on energy alternatives and conservation will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center in Malta.

Pat Vary, retired NIU microbiology professor, finds this event important for the environment.

“Part of the conservation initiative is to educate ourselves and people of the DeKalb County on reserving natural resources,” Vary said.

Vary mentioned that those who want to come should RSVP if at all possible. The conference is free to attend, but a $15 fee is required for those receiving the continental breakfast and lunch.

Those speaking will talk about energy alternatives including solar, wind and other possible options.

Richard Breckenridge, agricultural and rural affairs adviser for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

During his speech, Breckenridge will go over various topics relating to energy resources.

“I’m going to talk about the brief history of ethanol and its uses starting with Henry Ford to the Carter Era and up to the present,” he said.

Breckenridge will also go over several energy alternatives that can be used.

Another speaker at the event, Eric Mogren, associate history professor at NIU, will cover the main reason of having the conference in his speech.

“I’m going to be setting up the stage for the purpose of the conference,” he said.

Mogren said it is necessary to think of the energy’s future.

“As a society, we need to begin considering our energy‘s future,” he said

He also finds it crucial to look for other energy options.

“We need to explore other energy alternatives and develop strategies for the future,” Mogren said.

Mogren hopes that as many people as possible attend this conference.

“I hope to see a wide variety of an audience instead of just scientists and professors,” he said.