June 2007
Megasites update
The Crossroads Megasite near Columbus, Mississippi, has been sold to PACCAR, a global leader in the design and manufacture of trucks. The company will make and assemble powertrains for Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF at the $400 million engine facility and technology center. Construction on the 400,000-square-foot plant is scheduled to be completed in 2009. It is expected to create 500 new jobs.-
The ninth megasite in the Tennessee Valley, and the first in Alabama, has been certified. The 2,100-acre site is located adjacent to I-65 near Athens in Limestone County. Read more.
New rail corridor will span eastern U.S.
The Tennessee Valley offers a huge advantage to corporations because of its central location and well-developed transportation network, including major interstates, railroads, and the 650-mile navigable river system. A new rail corridor to be built by Norfolk Southern will increase that transportation advantage even more. The Crescent Corridor will span the eastern U.S., expediting cargo shipments and reducing highway congestion. It will extend for about 1,400 miles from Newark, N.J., to New Orleans. Two new terminals will be built, in central Maryland and east Tennessee, a Norfolk Southern spokesman said. Construction is projected to last from 2008 through 2013.
TVA helps establish Automotive
Research Alliance
The Automotive Research Alliance (ARA) is a new and exciting initiative that will provide automotive manufacturers and suppliers with broad access to problem-solving resources, including technology and manufacturing solutions as well as academic and training programs. Partners in the ARA include the National Transportation Research Center Inc., Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA, and seven Southern universities. The alliance will serve as a clearinghouse for information and the exchange of ideas, providing manufacturers with access to automotive-focused researchers, laboratories, and specialized equipment.
Read more at the ARA web site.
Mississippi State students are tops
in GM competition
Students from one of the ARA partner institutions (see above story), Mississippi State University, earned top honors at the third annual Challenge X competition, sponsored primarily by General Motors and the Department of Energy. Each student team in the competition designed a car to compete in fuel economy with the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. The winning team’s vehicle achieved a 48 percent increase in fuel economy over the GM car. It used a biodiesel-fueled engine, 330-volt battery pack, and 45-kilowatt integrated power transaxle.
Read more at the Green Car Congress site.
Producing green fuel for race cars
Northington Energy LLC will create a biofuels research and development facility in Morgan County, Tenn., that will focus entirely on renewable racing fuels and related engine testing. The Wyoming-based company will call its new R&D arm Northington Sport™ and will work with Volkswagen and Suzuki on a testing program with highly refined biofuels for racing. The research facility will be located on the same site as the company’s new biodiesel plant, now under construction in the environmentally friendly Flat Fork Business Park, where soybeans will be converted into fuel. Organic-based biodiesel is gaining in popularity among American consumers and companies because it is biodegradable and produces less air pollution than conventional diesel fuel. Read more at the Northington Energy web site.
Clean energy grants to communities
The Appalachian Regional Commission is offering $400,000 in grants to help communities implement renewable-energy and energy-efficiency strategies. Eight to 10 communities will receive up to $75,000 for projects that create new jobs or businesses related to clean energy, construct or renovate facilities that follow green building guidelines, or install energy-efficiency equipment in government or nonprofit facilities. Grant proposals must be submitted to the ARC by June 30 at www.arc.gov/energy, and awards will be announced July 31. Feasibility studies and energy audits are not eligible for grants.
In addition, Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development is offering a Biodiesel Infrastructure Grant to each county in the state for the purchase of biodiesel fuel tanks, pumping equipment, and card readers. The fuel can be used in existing diesel-powered vehicles, including school buses, maintenance vehicles, and heavy equipment, at no added cost. To apply for the grant, contact Terry Ellis at 800-342-1340 or 615-741-2994.
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