The Civic and Small-scale Biofuels project is aimed at enriching communities statewide by helping them with biofuels development that can take advantage of the smaller feedstock volumes that may be locally available.  The Center recognizes that production at both large and small scale will be required or the state to reach its 10% biofuels goal.  This particular initiative targets smaller-scale facilities, which have their own unique challeges, sources of feedstocks, goals, and outcomes.  It is expected that smaller scale facilities will often be a good fit for the juncture of biofuels with civic goals, new energy production, environmental imperatives, and waste materials.

A white paper on the project can be downloaded in the Resources section on the Center's website.  An interview with the project manager, Leif Forer, can be streamed on the Center's website or downloaded and played on an mp3 player and is available HERE.

Catalyzing and assisting the development of smaller projects will have the following impacts:

• A measurable percentage of the state’s overall new liquid fuels can be gained
• Communities can gain locally used fuels, economic benefit, and environmental advantage
• The state’s biofuels policy can find place within local communities, governments, and goals

Examples of existing small-scale projects are listed on the map.

The Center will work with communities to identify, assist, and strengthen civic and small scale projects.  Leaders interested in a project for their community will seek examples and evidence of value.  In addition, they will need to answer at the very least, the following roster of key factors:

• Triggering impulse - Who wants the project to happen and why?
• Region - What area will the project serve?
• Drivers and sustainable gain
  • Societal ∙ how does the community benefit or improve?
  • Environmental ∙ in what ways will water, air and land be enhanced?
  • Economic ∙ what will be direct returns or cost off-sets from fuel used?
• Funding - How will the project be financed?
• Site - Where will the project be located?
• Bimass resource - What crop, oil, waste or other feedstock will be utilized? What quantity?
• Biomass infrastructure - How will the biomass be acquired, transported and stored?
• Conversion technology - How will the biomass be converted and into what type of biofuel?
• Biofuel infrastructure - How will the biofuel be acquired, transported and stored?
• Biofuel use - Who will use the biofuel? What quantity?

North Carolina organizations seeking assistance in connection with evaluating or developing a small-scale project should contact Leif Forer, the Project Developer.