SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES $100,000 TO DEVELOP MONADNOCK BIODIESEL COLLABORATIVE
Biodiesel collaborative brings together Keene State College, City of Keene, businesses and area schools
(Washington, DC)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that her request to expand the education and training facilities of the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative (MBC) has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Shaheen secured $100,000 for MBC, a clean energy-production and education partnership between Keene State College, the City of Keene, biodiesel producers and other area schools. The legislation will now go to the full Senate for final passage.
"The new clean energy economy will be built from programs that provide training, create jobs, and develop innovative, practical technologies," said Shaheen. "Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative will do just that: provide education and training on biodiesel technologies, supply fuel for the region's home heating assistance program, and create jobs in the short- and long-term. This initial investment is an important one for this emerging industry and for the Keene community."
The funding will be used to develop curriculum for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to purchase biodiesel refining equipment and other materials for the lab.
"We are thrilled and deeply grateful for Senator Shaheen's leadership to secure funds to support the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative," said Dr. Helen Giles-Gee, president of Keene State College. "This funding is critical to advance our collective efforts to integrate undergraduate education and research opportunities at Keene State College with an economically viable clean, alternative energy source for our city and region."
Students, teachers and biodiesel producers will work together at MBC to produce 250,000 gallons of 100% verified quality biodiesel fuel annually that will be sold in Southwest New Hampshire, diverting hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste grease from landfills in the region. The project will provide free fuel for the region's home heating assistance programs and clean fuel to municipalities and collaborative partners. The MBC will also create five jobs in Keene and create a model for successful educational and community partnerships.
The funding was approved by the Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which includes $3,854,000 for projects in New Hampshire.
