Annual Meeting: Wisconsin Biofuels: Free to Public

Wisconsin Biodiesel Association News
Homegrown Fuel for a Better Wisconsin

For Immediate Release; April 21, 2008

Contact: Brett Hulsey, 608-334-4994
or Tony Hartmann, 608-215-4446


Wisconsin Biodiesel Association & Green Diesel Wisconsin Foundation
Annual Meeting to Feature New Technical College Members

Madison, WI—The Wisconsin Biodiesel Association (WBA) & Green Diesel Wisconsin Foundation (GDWF) welcome Madison Area Technical College & Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Green Bay) as new members at the Annual Meeting Thursday, May 8th, at 9:00 am. These two schools are our newest members and will be featured at the meeting, (designated the Annual Meeting), to be held at Madison Area Technical College’s main campus;
3550 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704
The meeting is free and open to the public but please RSVP to 608-843-1168.

“The Wisconsin Technical College System is out front on practical, renewable energy education and training,” said Tony Hartmann, president of the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association and Green Diesel Wisconsin Foundation, “We are extremely pleased to have two such forward-thinking institutions join our organization.”


Madison Area Technical College, which is hosting the event, has been a leader in renewable energy education and is a part of the National Science Foundation’s Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technologies “CERET” Program, http://matcmadison.edu/ceret/projects/default.shtm . Dr. Ken Walz is a project director for the CERET program and also serves as school representative to the WBA. Walz is a member of MATC’s chemistry department, which collaborates in the biodiesel effort with the school’s diesel and heavy equipment program and senior diesel tech instructor Paul Morchauser.

"We appreciate the energy and efforts of the WBA Board, its membership, and new foundation in bringing attention to our renewable energy programming.” said Dr. Walz, “It gives us a direct connection to the public, farmers, equipment manufacturers, fuel manufacturers and distributors, and the biofuels industry at large.”

Northeast Technical College, located in Green Bay, with satellite campuses in Marinette and Sturgeon Bay, has also joined the WBA/GDWF this spring. They have hosted Walz and Morschauser’s 3-day ‘Biodiesel Shortcourse’ and held numerous biodiesel and renewable energy workshops over the past few years. “Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s commitment to our organization gives us much better exposure in one of the State’s most important industry corridors,” added Hartmann.
This is our 2nd Quarter General, and Annual Meeting which will include board elections. A separate nomination form follows this press release and nominations will be accepted up until the day of the meeting. There are six positions up for election/re-election, and all members in good standing are eligible both to nominate and to serve on the board.

Featured speakers at the meeting include;

Paul Morschauser, MATC Diesel Program Instructor. Paul is a pioneer in biofuels education, helping to bring petroleum alternative fuels into the mainstream. His biodiesel work has brought statewide recognition to Madison Area Technical College for their early and innovative approach to green fuels education through MATC’s Diesel Equipment Technology Associate Degree program.

Dr. Ken Walz, MATC Chemistry Instructor. Ken is the director for the Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET), and is also adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin. He has developed new curriculum in renewable energy and alternative fuels, including hydrogen, solar and biodiesel. In partnership with his MATC colleague Paul Morschasuer, Ken supervised students from both MATC and UW in the design and construction of a small scale biodiesel reactor currently operated by the technical college. Ken has a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from UW-Madison.

Biodiesel is a natural renewable fuel made from soybean or other vegetable oils and animal fats. The Wisconsin Biodiesel Association and Green Diesel Wisconsin Foundation are promoting biodiesel fuel by encouraging incentives for government and fleet purchasing, enhanced distribution and supply chains, and a sprecial emphasis on quality control and production safety. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association, www.wibiodiesel.org, PO Box 8365, Madison WI 53708, or call 608.334.4994 or 608.819.1367.

Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Annual Meeting Agenda

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Room 142 B

MATC Truax Campus, on Madison’s NE side, near the intersection of U. S. Highways 51 & 151.
* Thanks to Dr. Betsy Barhorst, President of Madison Area Technical College, for hosting this meeting.
Parking is available on the west side of campus (see map following agenda.)

Meeting Agenda

8:30 AM Sign-in (Coffee and snacks served)

9:00 AM Welcoming remarks and Introductions

9:15 AM Last call for nomination of 2008-2009 officers and board members

9:20 AM Nomination period closed/Candidate introductions and Voting

9:50 AM Presentation: Madison Area Technical College’s commitment to renewable energy, with an introduction to biodiesel and biofuels education; Dr. Ken Walz, chemistry instructor, Paul Morchauser, diesel instructor, and Dr. Betsy Barhorst, MATC president.

10:35 AM Tour of MATC’s ‘biodiesel lab’

11:00 AM Committee Updates
- Education
- Legislative
- Membership & Promotion

11:30 AM Discussion of fall event to be co-sponsored with Wisconsin Clean Cities

11:45 AM Election winners announced/New Business

12:00 PM Adjourn - Next General Meeting September 16th

DIRECTIONS TO MATC – Truax Campus, Wisconsin Biodiesel Association General Meeting
MATC’s Truax Campus is located at 3550 Anderson St., near the junction of Hwy. 151 (E. Washington Ave.) and Hwy. 51 (Stoughton Rd.). From I-90/94, Choose one of three exits:
1. Take Exit 132 (Hwy. 51/Stoughton Rd.) south. Turn right on Anderson St. MATC will be on your right.
2. At Exit 135A (Hwy. 151/E. Washington Ave.), follow the sign marked 151 South/Madison; turn right on Hwy. 51 Stoughton Rd.) and left on Anderson St.
3. At Exit 138 (Hwy. 30), take Hwy. 30. Follow the sign marked 30 West/Madison; turn right on Hwy. 51 (Stoughton Rd.) and left on Anderson St.
From Hwy 12/18: Exit at Hwy. 51 and go north. One block after crossing Hwy. 151 (E. Washington Ave.), turn left on Anderson Street.
Parking Information Permits are required for all Truax Campus parking. Please plan to park in the gated visitor area in the main lot located off of Wright Street. Use the intercom system at the gate enetrance and the switchboard operator will buzz you in. Enter the main building through the doors on the right side (Gym entrance). The Welcome Center is straight ahead. If you are parked in the short-term parking (25-minute) off Anderson Street next to the Administration Building: Enter the main building and follow the signs to the meeting room. 142 B located just past the cafeteria.