Lewis and Clark Community College becomes affiliated partner of B20 Club of Illinois

Godfrey, Illinois-based Lewis and Clark Community College is now an affiliated partner of the B20 Club of Illinois, which recognizes Illinois-based organizations with a strong commitment to run fleets on biodiesel blends of 20 percent or greater.

A three-hour Automotive Service Excellence training session was recently held for the school’s automotive technology department in partnership with MEG Corp. ASE training was created in 2012 and was designed to educate trainees about biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Fifteen Lewis and Clark students attended the training this year, where the students learned new skills such as the ability to diagnose drivability issues with on- and off-road equipment, understanding a simple process for testing fuel quality, and analyzing fuel types to determine if there is a contaminated fuel issue. “It's an awesome opportunity because it gives community college students a perspective that many of them haven't experienced before,” said Chris Reynolds, associate professor and department coordinator. “A lot of our students come from urban areas and don't recognize the potential each time they drive past a field. This training allows them to have a better appreciation for the rural communities that support their vehicular performance on highways from coast to coast.”

Biodiesel use by all B20 Club members has led to the fueling of 2,320 vehicles on B20 or higher blends, nearly 7,000 tons of CO2 reductions, and an estimated health savings of more than $700,000 thanks to its environmental impact, according to the Illinois Soybean Association.

“We want to be a program that not only supports the needs of the rural sectors that we already serve but also the urban sectors that a significant number of our students come from,” Reynolds said. “If we can provide them hands-on learning experiences, and point them toward a successful career path, then we have done our job as a community college.”

The B20 Club of Illinois is a partnership between the American Lung Association and the Illinois Soybean Association.