Biotown, USA

Reynolds, IN, lies near Purdue University.  The town has around 500 people left.  One gas station.  A used car lot.  Not even a barber.  But there are thousands of pigs.  Fields surrounding the town.  Flex fuel cars are plentiful.  And there is major private investment in the works.  Why?  This town is on the path to switch off grid eventually.  It will generate its own power from methane (thanks to those pigs and people too).  The people will be running on E85.  Great plan it sounds.  Its also called the most aggressive thus far.  New York Times has the story.

Senator Lugar drives Prius

I am not too surprised that Senator Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, drives the hybrid Toyota Prius.  Check out a few excerpts from a speech of his on greener fuels.  Maybe he could help push the high speed transit a little more.  I wouldn't mind hoping on a train in Vincennes and being in Terre Haute half an hour later.  Or better yet, Indy in an hour.

High Speed Transit

Nuvo.net provides a great piece on a high speed rail system covering the Mid West.  The only problem?  Its not built and while most states are eagerly involved, Indiana has basically ignored this opportunity.  I'm ashamed. 

Mass transit is generally beneficial to the environment.  I think everyone's heard it before.  It cuts down on pollution because of fewer cars.  Oh, but fewer cars means less congestion and fewer accidents for those still driving.  It can also be a more pleasant trip.  Rather than watching miles of asphalt fly by, passengers can read or talk.

 Economically, this would have been good for Indianapolis.  It means there could have been more tourists and therefore more money.

In a separate article, Nuvo.net also reports that there is still some hope but now pushing three years, I have yet to word on this project becoming a reality.