Caldwell third and fourth grade science students will be embarking on an exciting project when they return to school this fall: growing green – algae that is. 

With assistance from the Alternate Energy Task Force and their teacher, Gail Feely, the students will be involved in building a photo bioreactor and growing algae in the classroom.  They will learn about photosynthesis and how the oil of algae can be used to create biodiesel.

Four members of the AETF and one guest drove Feb. 11, 2010 to Nashville, KS in Barber County (near Medicine Lodge) to tour the Flat Ridge Wind Farm.  The 5,000 acre development of forty turbines is owned and operated by BP and Westar.

Three members of AETF INC. have returned from the West Coast Chapter of the National Algae Association’s (www.nationalalgaeassociation.com) annual meeting. The 2-day conference included presentations from innovators in the field of algae oil production as well as industry leaders.
Jim Lane , publisher of Biofuels Digest (www.biofuelsdigest.com) stated “Algae fuels are the most vibrant field of Biofuels today.”

Article found in the January 2010 issue of Kansas Country Living.  
    The Board of Trustees considered the adoption of a service rider for the cooperative to implement "net Metering" on December 21, 2009.
  The net metering rider will be available to members operating their own renewable generation resource, such as a small wind turbine.  Members must enter into an interconnection agreement with the cooperative to qualify for the rider. 

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) has launched a new appliance rebate program that rewards low-income households for replacing old, electricity-guzzling household appliances with new energy efficient models.

As a result of filing for 501c3, the AETF has now achieved non-profit status .  This is great news for us.  This will allow the group to apply for more funding for renewable and energy efficient projects.