Middlebury’s new biomass gasification plant connects climate, energy, and community for a more sustainable energy future. The biomass plant will reduce our carbon footprint by 40% and replace 1 million gallons of number six fuel oil with a local, renewable resource. To mark this important milestone toward carbon neutrality there is an opening event Thursday, February 19th starting at 4:30. Bill McKibben is the featured speaker. There will also be a video "tour" of the facility as well as a walk-through afterwards. See the press release for more information.
For more than a decade, carbon reduction has been a community driven initiative at the College, and in 2007 Middlebury set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2016. The completion of the biomass gasification facility marks a significant milestone toward that goal. Students, staff, and faculty from many different departments across campus were involved at every stage of this project.