Biofuel Micro-Refineries for Local Sustainability Award Number: DE-EE0003121 CX(s) Applied: B1.31, B3.6 Bioenergy Technologies Office Date: 03/07/2014 Location(s): TN Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
February 26, 2016
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Biofuel Micro-Refineries for Local Sustainability
Award Number: DE-EE0003121
CX(s) Applied: B1.31, B3.6
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Date: 03/07/2014
Location(s): TN
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to The University of Memphis to enhance the capabilities of education, research and training facilities at a community college and a metropolitan research University. DOE funding would be used for the enhancement of the existing second generation biodiesel micro-refinery at the Mid-South Community College (MSCC) to improve continuous flow post-esterification processing and produce ASTM standard fuel at both institutions.
DOE made a previous NEPA determination (GFO-0003121-001 CX A9, B3.1, B3.6 5/17/2011) for Task A, to enhance the biodiesel micro-refinery in the Center for Biofuel Energy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) of the University of Memphis and Task B, to enhance the existing second generation biodiesel micro-refinery at the MSCC. Per DOE directions subsequent to project review, work on Task A was suspended to devote resources to the remaining phases of the award, Task B. This NEPA determination applies to all remaining phases of the award, Task B, to enhance the existing second generation biodiesel micro-refinery and would be performed at one location, the MSCC. The MSCC is located at 2000 W. Broadway Ave, West Memphis, Arkansas 72301.
Task B, which includes enhancements to the second generation biodiesel micro-refinery at the MSCC, would be based on the continuous-flow technologies used in commercial refineries but would fit on a single pallet in a laboratory room. There would be no proposed change in the use, mission or operation of the existing laboratory facilities at the MSCC. There would also be no construction of or modification to transmission lines or other utilities.