Who Is It

The Collaborative is made up of three separate entities; the City of Keene, NH, Keene State College and Batchelder Biodiesel Refineries. Click on the icons above to be directed to the collaborators site.

City of Keene, NH
"Keene represents a truly distinctive slice of America"

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Keene to its list of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations" due to the city's well-managed growth, commitment to historic preservation, attractive architecture, cultural diversity, activities for families with children, economic base of locally-owned small businesses, and walk ability for residents and visitors.

The National Trust calls Keene a "Currier & Ives landscape come to life, where pristine local landmarks, Revolutionary War reenactments and bucolic rolling hills provide a perfect spot for family fun". In a press release dated April 29, 2003, the National Trust, www.nationaltrust.org, states, "Although its population is small, Keene, N.H. (population 22,563 (2000)) is a giant when it comes to history ...Because so many of the town's earliest structures have remained unchanged for more than two centuries, it's easy to get lost in time." In this press release, National Trust President Richard Moe states, "It is encouraging to see communities so committed to the preservation of their historic landmarks, the revitalization of their downtown areas, and the protection of their unique heritage ...Keene represents a truly distinctive slice of America. That makes it an exciting alternative to the homogenization of many other vacation spots. It is my hope that more American cities and towns will follow Keene's lead in preserving their own spirit of place."

Keene has a long, steadfast history of climate protection. In April, 2000, the City signed onto the Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign (CCP), administered by ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI). Since agreeing to participate in the CCP Campagin, the City of Keene has developed a Local Action Climate Plan to identifty ways in which the greater Keene community can assist in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The City, lead by its CCP Committee, has developed processes and implemented projects to ensure that they are on track to meet their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 10% below 1995 levels by 2015. Keene reaffirmed this commitment in its Community Goals of 2003.

Keene State College
Keene State College prepares promising students to think critically and creatively, to engage in active citizenship, and to pursue meaningful work. As the public liberal arts college of New Hampshire, they offer an enriching campus community and achieve academic excellence through the integration of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.

Their liberal arts mission dedicates them to the development of knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of our changing world. As a public institution, they provide educational opportunities for all qualified students and continue their heritage of service to New Hampshire and the New England region.

KSC values

All members of the community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.
Strong relationships among students, faculty, and staff.
Excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship.
Commitment to learning and cultural enrichment.
Social justice and equity in their community and in their curriculum.
Educational challenge and support for a wide range of learners.
Physical and financial access and support.
Balanced development of mind, body, and character.
Diversity, civility, and respect.
Civic engagement and service to the community.
Environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Partnerships that enhance the quality of life in the Monadnock region, New Hampshire, and the world.
An attractive campus that inspires and supports inquiry, reflection, and social interaction.

New Hampshire Small Business Development Center
The NH SBDC provides confidential, long-term management consulting and educational programs to more than 3,000 New Hampshire businesses each year. www.nhsbdc.org offers a variety of e-tools including e-Learning for Entrepreneurs - OnLine AnyTime, as well as access to information and referral. Specialized services include the Environmental Management Program and the Restaurant Initiative.

Batchelder Biodiesel Refineries , LLC (BBR)
L. A. Batchelder and Sons Consulting, Inc.(BSC), a New Hampshire based engineering and development company, has spent over the last 3 years developing a method to convert both "Yellow" and "Brown" grease into ASTM certified B100 fuel. The process is repeatable and consistent in eliminating a waste stream and creating valued fuel.

In July of 2006, the Keene State College and BSC started talks about a joint coalition to help the area become self sufficient with Biodiesel fuels. Discussions were constantly being held with different groups within the Keene State College, the City of Keene, the State of New Hampshire, Private Foundations, Businesses and investors. As these discussions developed so did the project.

Prior to those talks, Batchelder Biodiesel Refineries, LLC (BBR) was formed to be able to disseminate the work it had developed, and started the creation of a refinery in Nashua, NH. BBR’s goal is to create and develop separate operations that will refine biodiesel fuels from waste vegetable oils and grease trap oils at major cities in New England. The operation will be self contained where waste will be collected from the local sources (city restaurants, hospitals, schools and nursing homes) and fuel will be supplied to the city and for distribution. Once established, the operation will be self supporting through charges per gallon to users.

One of the "Barriers to Entry" that BBR has developed is a way to control all of the raw materials applied to the creation of ASTM B100 from waste. We have created an Exclusive Supply Agreement with the largest hauler/collector of waste in New England. We have also developed proprietary "Pre-Treatments" to the waste for consistency. We intend to do this with all haulers/supplies in New England.