CTC hosted a three-day visit by nationally-recognized environmentalist Jim Evanoff of Yellowstone National Park who spoke about Alternative Fuels & Sustainability Projects at various events in Johnstown and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 8-10, 2007.

Local alternative-energy organizations that helped to host the Evanoff talks included Green Building Alliance Laurel Highlands Network, Steel City Biofuels, the Pennsylvania Resources Council, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, Sustainable Pittsburgh, PennFuture, Venture Outdoors, and Conservation Consultants, Inc.

Jim's presentation focused on alternative fuel usage at Yellowstone National Park. Jim, the environmental manger at Yellowstone, explored the park's rich history as the world's first national park and how Yellowstone has emerged as a sustainable flagship for the National Park Service. Yellowstone and other supporters developed the first national park alternatively-fueled vehicle project, now known as the "Truck in the Park Project"—a pickup truck fueled by 100 percent canola ethyl ester biodiesel (B100). This truck has been driven over 185,000 miles through several harsh Yellowstone winters. And Jim is still driving it! The truck became the symbol for use of biodiesel not only in Yellowstone, but also in the Greater Yellowstone Region and other national parks.

At Yellowstone Park-the pickup truck fueled by 100 percent canola ethyl ester biodiesel (B100).

Today, all of the Yellowstone-owned diesel engines ranging from trucks to generators to snow trail groomers are powered by various blends of biodiesel. This fuel not only helps keep the park's environment clean, but also introduces diesel car and truck owners to the advantages of biodiesel. The American-made fuel is currently available at public stations located just outside the park's gates. Through the Green Energy Parks Program, about 675 vehicles now run by biofuels are in use at 29 national parks, according to the National Parks Service. In 2005, 75 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in this country, according to the National Biodiesel Board (www.biodiesel.org/). Jim received the National Biodiesel Board's 2006 "Inspiration" Award for his initiatives.

In addition to biofuels, Jim discussed the broad-based sustainability initiatives that the greater Yellowstone area has embarked upon, and how critical it is to maintain the highest level of environmental stewardship in this last intact ecosystem left in the world. "Basically, I am hoping to provide an awareness to people that, if these sustainability initiatives can be sustained in the harsh environment of Yellowstone, you can do it anywhere," said Jim.

CTC and Yellowstone
CTC and Yellowstone National Park have developed a relationship centering on the sustainability and uses of alternative fuels. "It seems to me that the philosophies that CTC have are in alignment with the interests of Yellowstone," Jim said. "I have had a relationship with CTC for about three years due to some projects in which we have had collaboration, including a hydrogen fuel cell project." In 2004, CTC first worked with Jim on developing a stationary fuel cell using canola-based biodiesel fuel to help provide electrical power to Yellowstone.

CTC's Eileen Schmura, Senior Mechanical Engineer in the Advanced Energy Programs Directorate, who coordinated Jim's visit to the area, added: "Yellowstone National Park can serve as a model to other entities in using alternative fuels and other sustainable projects. If Yellowstone can do this in below zero temperatures, so can other organizations." Eileen is located in CTC's Pittsburgh office.

In Johnstown, Jim Evanoff (center) spoke at several events held at CTC's facilities. Others (left to right) are CTC's Pete Spinelli, Susan Van Scoyoc and Eileen Schmura, and Ryan Snow of the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance.	In Pittsburgh, Jim Evanoff (right) spoke at the Conservation Consultants Inc. Center to a standing-room-only crowd. Also pictured are Eileen Schmura (left) and Nathaniel Luna Sawyer Doyno of Steel City Biofuels, Inc.

Currently, CTC is working on a report documenting Yellowstone's success in using biodiesel fuels for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center/Construction Engineering Research laboratory (ERDC/CERL). CTC operates the Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTec) for the ERDC/CERL in Johnstown. Susan Van Scoyoc, CTC's Manager, Army Power & Energy Programs, said: "CTC is currently developing several alternative fuel projects and is expanding its business opportunities in the area of biofuels, ethanol, and Fischer-Tropsch Fuels."

Other related projects that CTC is currently developing include: installation of a boiler using a biodiesel blend for heating the Army's Fort Indiantown Gap facilities in Pennsylvania; testing a micro turbine using biodiesel fuel for the Capstone Company; and providing alternative fuels assessments/evaluations for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Pete Spinelli, a CTC Mechanical Engineer in Johnstown, who heads the local Steering Committee of the Green Building Alliance Laurel Highlands Network, said, "We were thrilled to present Evanoff."

For more information about Jim Evanoff's environmental initiatives at Yellowstone and CTC's relationship with the park, contact Eileen Schmura, 412-992-5367, schmurae@ctc.com or Susan Van Scoyoc, 814-269-2826, vanscoy@ctc.com. For more information about the Green Building Alliance Laurel Highlands Network, contact Pete Spinelli, 814-269-2819, spinelli@ctc.com.

For more information about Yellowstone Park, click Yellowstone National Park, and the organizations that helped to host Jim Evanoff's visit, click Green Building Alliance Laurel Highlands Network at www.gbapgh.org, Steel City Biofuels, Pennsylvania Resources Council, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Venture Outdoors, and the CCI Center.

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