VGCC Hosts BioDiesel Workshop

Area residents can see a demonstration of what may be the future of energy on March 29 at Vance-Granville Community College. Piedmont BioFuels and the BioAg Center, part of the BioNetwork, will co-sponsor a Biodiesel workshop on Thursday, March 29 from 1:30 until 4 p.m. at the Bioprocess Technology lab in the back of Building 8 on the college’s main campus, in Vance County.Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative fuel that is produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including crops that are grown in North Carolina, such as soybeans and corn. The use of BioDiesel — a standardized, high-quality, renewable fuel — rather than petroleum diesel benefits the environment, energy security and our economy, according to Christine Klahn, head of Vance-Granville’s Bioprocess Technology program. “In this workshop, you can find out how you could run your tractors or other vehicles on Biodiesel,” Klahn said. “You’ll hear a lecture and see a live demonstration of how to make biodiesel at home.” Biodiesel was one of the alternative fuels discussed during President Bush’s recent visit to Novozymes in Franklinton.The North Carolina Community College System’s BioNetwork is a statewide initiative that connects community colleges across North Carolina, providing specialized training, curricula and equipment, to develop a world-class workforce for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. All community colleges serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, including VGCC, are part of the BioNetwork. More information is available on the BioNetwork website (www.ncbionetwork.org/).There will be no charge for admission to the workshop, but space is limited. Anyone interested in the workshop is urged to call Christine Klahn at (252) 738-3350 for more information and to register.