Moving Forward Together: Leadership Spotlight |
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Bruce Pratt, chair of the Department of Agriculture, is featured in this ongoing series designed to allow EKU leaders and others in prominent positions to discuss their roles as well as campus issues. He holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry from Delaware Valley College and a master's degree and doctorate in Reproductive Physiology from West Virginia University, and was a Post Doctoral Research Associate at Oklahoma State University from 1979 to 1981. Pratt, who joined the EKU faculty in January of 1998, is spearheading the University's Center for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies (CRAFT) initiative. He calls the partnership between EKU and General Atomics, which will allow researchers to examine the potential for a cellulose-derived biodiesel industry in Kentucky, the most exciting project he has been involved in since coming to EKU. "To be at the cutting edge of a new technology and possibly a new industry is very exhilarating," he explains. |
How did EKU come to be involved in this project?
President Whitlock was approached by General Atomics sometime last spring (2008) about a partnership on a biofuels project. I was approached by President Whitlock about potential involvement with the Department of Agriculture in May 2008. We had our first meeting with General Atomics this last summer.
What been accomplished to this point on the initiative? What is the timetable for the rest of 2009 and 2010?
Right now we are trying to get the project established and finalize the federal and state funding. Dr. Llewellyn and myself have done a preliminary biomass study looking at different biomass sources and potential land sources for growing dedicated biomass crops. Dr. Frank O’Connor, in Economics, has been doing the economic analysis for the biomass to biodiesel. He is doing a cost analysis of producing biodiesel and an economic impact study. Both the Biomass and Economic Analysis studies should be completed this semester. As soon as the funding is on campus the Department of Agriculture will be starting two projects. The first one will be to establish several biomass crops such as Switchgrass and Miscanthus at EKU farms. The other will be to develop an assay system where we can evaluate different biomass sources for use in the production of biodiesel.
Why should the average Kentuckian be excited about the potential of this project?
The ability for Kentucky to be a producer of biofuel can have an impact on availability of fuel for each citizen. Remember after one of the hurricanes this summer, several southern states had problems getting fuel from the Gulf Coast. If we produce biofuels locally, we reduce transportation costs. We can also create local jobs with a new industry. Not only to run the biomass to biofuels production plants, but also in the production and transportation of the biomass.
What impact might this research have on agriculture in Kentucky?
Biomass Crops have a lot of potential as an alternative crop to replace tobacco. Switchgrass has the potential to grow on ground that is less suited for other crops, so underutilized ground can be made more profitable. Also, crop residue such as corn stover and wheat straw can be harvested for biomass. This would be additional income for people already growing corn or wheat for grain. These biomass crops will have less direct impact on food and feed costs. Reclaimed strip mine land also has potential for biomass production. I think we are just looking at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential for agriculture.
How are other members of the EKU community involved in CRAFT?
This project has tremendous potential for a lot of interdisciplinary research. As already mentioned, we have been working with Dr. Frank O’Connor in the Department of Economics. We have had preliminary discussions with faculty in the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. In addition, the Environmental Research Institute, Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (CEDET) and the Office Regional Stewardship will also be involved as the project develops. This is not an all inclusive list, and other departments and areas have potential for involvement. This will be a truly interdisciplinary project.
What impact has CRAFT already had on the visibility and profile of the University?
Marc Whitt, Associate Vice President of Public Relations & Marketing, has done a fantastic job of getting the word out on the CRAFT Biomass to Biofuels project. There have been close to 200 news outlets that have been picked up throughout the U.S. and at least six countries. The visibility this project has brought to EKU has been overwhelming.
