Skip Navigation

Senator Shaheen Tours Biodiesel Collaborative at Keene State College

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen talks with KSC Safety Studies seniors Greg Goupil (left) and Dan OBrien, who have been involved with the Colleges biodiesel research since early 2009. N.H. Senator Molly Kelly and Keene Mayor Dale Pregent look on.
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen talks with KSC Safety Studies seniors Greg Goupil (left) and Dan OBrien, who have been involved with the Colleges biodiesel research since early 2009. N.H. Senator Molly Kelly and Keene Mayor Dale Pregent look on.

KEENE, N.H., 2/5/2010 - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited Keene State College on Friday, February 5, to tour the College’s new biodiesel quality testing laboratory at the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative (MBC). Shaheen secured $100,000 for MBC, a clean energy production and education partnership between Keene State College, the City of Keene, and biodiesel producers. While touring the facility she discussed the economic benefits of investing in clean energy technologies with KSC students and faculty and community partners.

Keene State is establishing a fuel quality testing laboratory at 57 Ralston Street in Keene, N.H. The lab will allow the College to expand its current emission and exposure research in partnership with institutions like Dartmouth College, UVM, and the National Renewable Energies Laboratory. The collaborative will also house a biofuels refinery that will convert yellow and brown waste grease from across New England into quality-assured biodiesel fuel for both vehicle use and home heating applications for the Monadnock region and beyond. “Clean energy technologies will help us take control of our energy future, and the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative is a great example of the opportunities that exist in the clean energy economy,” said Shaheen. “This collaboration between educators and clean energy businesses will create jobs and boost the local economy. It’s good for our environment, and it’s is critical to our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We must continue to invest in projects like this because they will help us achieve our critically important economic and energy goals.”

The College and the City of Keene estimate savings from using the locally produced biofuel could be in excess of $160,000 annually, and the MBC will donate a significant amount of heating oil to area citizens in need of economic fuel assistance. The MBC program will divert hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste grease from landfills in the region and also improve air quality and public health in all locations where the fuel is burned - current research demonstrates that fine particulate emissions are reduced by 61% with a 20% biodiesel blend. The refinery and the fuel quality testing facility will contribute a percentage of sales revenue to support curricular work and the ongoing research efforts of Keene State faculty and their collaborators.

“Keene State College is delighted to be partnering with Senator Jeanne Shaheen on the Monadnock Biodiesel Collaborative,” Keene State College President Helen Giles-Gee said. “Together with our friends in local and state government and in the business sector, we are driving the kind of community-based innovation that will make energy independence and environmentally conscious economic development a reality. As a public institution, Keene State is pleased to contribute to the sustainability of our region and state in this way and to serve as a model for communities around the country.”

Related Stories

Contact Keene State College

1-800-KSC-1909
229 Main Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03435