Pittsboro, NC — Central Carolina Community Collegern (CCCC) has received a $52,000 grant from the North Carolinarn State Energy Office to expand its innovative biofuels program.  Thern money will help fund new educational outreach initiativesrn as well as the purchase of a mobile biofuels laboratory.

rn CCCC began offering biofuel classes in 2002 at the college’s Chatham Countyrn Campus in Pittsboro in the continuing education division.   Over 60rn participants have learned about alternative fuel sources during five sessionsrn of the 14-week course.  Participants learn how to make biodiesel using recycledrn vegetable oil from local restaurants.  With the additional funding, thern college plans to expand the number and types of biofuels courses it offers.

rn“We are very excited about the opportunities this grant affords,” saidrn Rachelrn Burton, a CCCC biofuels instructor.  “We look forward to using thisrn money to teach people about the viability of alternative fuels.”

rn The grant was awarded as part of the North Carolina State Energy Office’srn Clean Technology grant, which targeted educational institutions across the state.  CCCCrn was the only college that received funding; the rest of the funds went to highrn school programs.  The State Energy Office hopes to raise awareness ofrn alternative fuel sources through the grant initiatives.

rn Part of the grant money will cover the cost of biofuels workshops, which Burtonrn and other college personnel will lead both in Chatham County and at designatedrn locations across the state.  Funding for salaries, travel and other expensesrn was included in the grant for up to six weekend workshops for organizationsrn across the state.

rn A mobile biofuels laboratory, purchased with grant funds will be utilized atrn all workshops.  The lab will give participants the opportunity to manufacturern biodiesel and compare it to traditional fuels. The vehicle will be also bern used for seminars and lectures at local schools and organizations.