Considering the rising cost of gas, the topic of alternative energy is gaining attention nationwide.

Even in the Valley, people are coming up with innovative ways to produce energy.

On Thursday night in Staunton, some homegrown energy experts will be talking about sustainable power sources available to Valley residents.

In fact, one of the sources is the Valley's native switch grass, which is being grown and used to fuel boilers on Augusta County prison grounds.

The discussion will also include solar panels, residential wind power and green homes. Organizers say they think people will be surprised at just how many green resources the Valley has.

"So often we think about other places and what's going on in California or in other parts of the country, but we actually are doing many of the same things here in the Valley. So, we want to really profile that tonight," says organizer Steve Grande.