SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES $150,000 FOR BIODIESEL COLLABORATIVE
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that her request to support the expansion of the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative at Keene State College has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Shaheen secured $150,000 for the project, which will allow the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative to launch an emissions testing facility and a statewide research and educational program for students and educators. These funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2011 Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate.
"Transitioning to a clean energy economy will help us take control of our energy future, make our country more energy independent, and create new manufacturing jobs right here at home, and I am working to help make New Hampshire a leader in this emerging industry," said Shaheen. "The Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative will help aid that transition by reducing our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and I am pleased to support this important effort."
"Keene State is redefining the traditional liberal arts college, applying our strengths to complex community challenges, innovating and researching in real-time to forge a sustainable future. Our Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative will harness the power of education and business to transform the energy landscape in southwest New Hampshire," said Keene State College President Helen F. Giles-Gee. "We are delighted that Senator Jeanne Shaheen shares our vision and are grateful for her efforts moving forward funding during this and the last appropriations cycle. Together, we are creating an energy-independent New Hampshire."
The Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative is a partnership between Keene State College, the City of Keene, and a private biodiesel fuel refinery to create a biodiesel production, fuel quality, and emissions testing facility in Keene. This project will divert hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste grease from landfills, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, provide low cost fuel to municipalities and nonprofits, and create six new jobs in New Hampshire.
