With a new venue and broader international scope, the fifth annual E3: Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference kicks off today at the St. Paul River Centre.

The conference, which is presented by the University of Minnesota’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE), will feature two international keynote speakers: Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, president of the Executive Council, minister of Federal-Provincial Relations, and Terje Gjengedal, professor of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

E3, which began as an event showcasing University work in environmental and energy research, now serves as a place for researchers from all over the world to come and share their work.

The conference allows attendees to sit in on expert panel discussions for five areas such as renewable fuels and products, renewable electricity, the nexus of energy, the environment and the economy, conservation and energy efficiency and special topics such as a discussion about public opinion and perception of energy and environmental issues.

Check tomorrow's Daily for more from the conference.