The Biofuels Mobile Education Center Hits the Road
In an effort to educate the public about the benefits of biofuels, three science teachers are hitting the road in the Biofuels Mobile Education Center (BMEC).
Biofuels Mobile Education Center
Education specialists Paul Emerick, Michael Moats and BMEC Director Curt Froyen, are embarking on a three-year educational tour across the nation in an interactive traveling exhibit on wheels. Froyen, a former Iowa Science Teacher of the Year, was contacted by Absolute Energy in June to take part in the endeavor. He contacted fellow educators Emerick and Moats.
During a telephone interview, Froyen said the program will not only educate the public at large, but will also help dispel various myths fostered by oil companies. Froyen also said he hopes all presidential candidates will have the opportunity to visit the educational facility.
Benefits from Biofuels
It is clear renewable fuels have significantly impacted Iowa’s economy. At the end of 2010, renewable fuels production generated more than $2
billion of household income for Iowans, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. And with 41 Iowa ethanol refineries, renewable fuels support about 49,000 jobs throughout the state. With only 3 percent of the world's grain supply going to ethanol processing, "U.S. ethanol production eliminates the need for 445 million barrels of imported oil annually."
BMEC Events
Since the tour began, BMEC has been to the Iowa State Fair and was also well-received during the Iowa Straw Poll earlier this month. BMEC is currently en route to the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Future events include the Iowa - Iowa State football game on September 10th and the NASCAR Race in Chicago from September 16th-18th, 2011.
The program, still in its beginning stages, is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and ethanol companies Golden Grain Energy, Absolute Energy, Big River Resources and Homeland Energy Solutions. While the BMEC website is still in development, the “Biofuels Truth Express” can be reserved by completing this form.
Image courtesy of Dave Sovereign
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway is a freelance writer from Illinois. While much of her writing focuses on technology, parenting and online safety issues, she has a strong interest in environmental and renewable energy-related issues as well.
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