|
|
|
|
Celebrating Innovation.June 22, 2012
The Shift Is On
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrboro Public Works, Carrboro - 100 Public Works Drive
Edible Earthscapes, Moncure - 37 Bill Thomas Lane, Moncure
Larry's Beans, Raleigh - 1507 Gavin Street, Raleigh
Piedmont Biofuels, Pittsboro - 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Saxapahaw General Store, Saxapahaw -1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road, Saxapahaw
TS Designs, Burlington - 2053 Willow Springs, Burlington
Tidal Creek Coop- 5329 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
|
|
|
|
|
|
Piedmont Biofuels Celebrates First Enzymatic Biodiesel Plant 
 As you know, Biodiesel is a clean burning renewable fuel derived from fats, oils and greases. As of yet, those oils and greases have to be of a certain quality. They have to be relatively clean and have little free fatty acids. We call it "yellow grease." Because of this, we are pretty limited to what can be turned into fuel. That is why our grease partnerships are so very important.
Piedmont's enzyme-based process technology, named the FAeSTER process opens the door to a world of new feedstocks...dirtier stuff...that can be turned into fuel. These can include things like trap grease and even "brown grease" (a fancy name for sewage grease.) Just imagine...turning the ultimate trash into fuel. Now that is sustainable. The process also is safer and uses less water. AND, the enzymes can be used again and again. We love this idea.  It's time to celebrate. Tomorrow we cut ribbon. The event begins at 3pm. North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan will be speaking at the event and touring the new facility. This will be her second visit to the plant.
The construction of this plant was made possible by a $1.2 million dollar United States Department Of Energy Small Business Innovation and Research grant over a period of three years. (part of the reinvestment and Recovery Act) Senator Hagan has been a cheerleader for Piedmont Biofuels throughout each stage of funding. In addition to Senator Hagan, other speakers will include Joe Jobe from the National Biodiesel Board, Larry Shirley of the NC Department of Commerce, and Steven Burke, CEO of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, along with Kurt Creamer from Novozymes, a North Carolina manufacturer of enzymes used in Piedmont's new process.  And then there's the entertainment! Old Habits will be kicking things of at 4:30 followed by Pittsboro's Liz Moudy at 5:30. Angelina's Kitchen will be there representing NC's Slow Money farmers. Libations provided by the Carolina Brewery and Benjamin Vineyards.
The event will be good for us here at Piedmont. It will be good for Pittsboro, and a great representation for North Carolina's critical role in biofuels. We hope to see you there!
YOU ARE INVITED
Please join us for the ribbon cutting tomorrow. Speakers at 3pm. Refreshments at 4pm.
Music starts at 4:30.
|
Meet the new Board of Directors
 On May 21 at the annual membership meeting, the Piedmont community elected the 2012 Board of Directors. This special group of people advocate for us, help us, and each bring something special to the Piedmont family.
Re-elected Chairman of the Board, Brian Gullette has been a member since 2006 after reading Energy Blog. He and his family are currently cruising on B100 in a Jetta and Passat TDI, their 2nd and 3rd diesels.
"I hope to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the Board's activities in using appropriate technology to blaze the B100 trail and expand community awareness about the virtuous food-to-fuel cycle Piedmont has created." Brian is doing just that. "I'm excited to be part of such a passionate, experienced group of entrepreneurs and forward-thinkers and look forward to bringing their ideas to life."
 Carol Hewitt is also returning to the Board and bringing with her a passion for community involvement and helping others reach their goals. Carol runs the Slow Money NC project, linking small-scale farmers with low-interest, local lenders. (Stay tuned for her book about this amazing project!) Carol's family drives a fleet of 3 Jetta TDI's that have been on our B100 for over two years. Her goal is to see more people " enjoying the benefits to our community and to our planet of using biodiesel."
 "I watched her pour grease through a sock filter two times and then pour it straight into the truck's fuel tank. I. Was. Blown. Away." John Hollingsowrth first learned about the miracle of biodiesel 8 years ago on his sister's farm. After joining the membership in 2006, he has been immersed in his interest for biodiesel ever since.
John is a data-guy. He gets it, is able to utilize it...and knows how to explain it to others. He has been helping us with research about where our members are are how much fuel they are buying. "I'm really excited about finding ways to strengthen our business model by showing our Partners our value. I want to learn some of the ropes of a community-scale venture."
 Stephan Caldwell has been around since the 'Fuel Making Nights' at the old coop. He owns Green Circle NC , a company that links biodiesel producers with feedstocks. He has been a member for five years now, and continues to show enthusiasm in growing the ever-important membership. Stephan hopes to "continue to evangelize Biodiesel and recruit new members to the Coop. I look forward to learning about new ways we can expand the pump location offerings in NC."
 Kevin Cook became a member of the Cape Fear Biofuels Cooperative in Wilmington 4 years ago to help make biodiesel out of used cooking oil. At one time, he had private tank filled with Piedmont's B100. Kevin is a diesel driver. From his beetle, to the Mercedes, then the Jetta, and now his Toyota pickup, Kevin is an experienced member of the Piedmont and biodiesel community. He cares strongly about biodiesel as an answer to our dangerous dependency on others for fuel.
"I want to feel like I am doing something towards not importing foreign oil." Kevin and his wife Phyllis live and work in Wilmington. They have three grown children....and they are happy to see biodiesel flowing at the coast again!
Lorrie Hinsdale works at Go Eco Disposal in Wilmington. (A people lover, she also is the registration clerk at the local KOA.) Owned by her son Kevin and husband David, Go Eco Disposal was the first residential recycling service provider in Wilmington. They have a fleet of trucks that they like to keep sipping bio. They have taken the trucks to events to promote biodiesel and renewable energy. "I look forward to learning more about the process and ways to get the message out there."
|
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
 
|
|
|
Partners in Sustainability
OakLeaf
Pittsboro
The newest addition to the Chtam Mills community. Chef Brendan Cox is wow-ing us all with things like "garganelli of squash blossoms,our fino verde basil, goat cheese"...yum!
Allen & Son
Chapel Hill
Barbecue the way you love it. North Carolina is famous for the stuff, and this is why. Allen & Son is a family name in BBQ that you can trust to be finger-lickin' good, every time.
Wake County Waste ManagementWe are so pleased to welcome Wake County to the Piedmont partnership. Frying a turkey at home? Take the grease to your local recycling center! 
|
Bringing B100 home to you.  Piedmont provides tanks for fleets, farmers, and anyone else who could benefit from having B100 right at home. Contact Lyle for details
Lyle@biofuels.coop |
We love Liz Moudy
Come out to the plant tomorrow to hear her play! |
Have somewhere in mind?
Check out our growing list of Partners in Sustainability. Tell us which restaurants you would like gift cards to. Email us at katy@biofuels.coop |
|
Piedmont Housekeeping
Keep in touch...
Don't forget to change your address, credit card, or contact information online. We have lots of gift certificates to send and we want them to get to you!
Rachel Burton and the Piedmont crew cutting tape on the enzymatic pilot plant. Learn more about the 'FAeSTER' Enzymatic Process here
Don't forget to
Thank our Partners
Without their grease, our cars wouldn't make people hungry!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
