Reynolds, Indiana, population 547, is trying to become a model of energy self sufficiency for the state of Indiana and was declared “Bio Town, USA” by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005.

The effort is divided into 3 phrases according to the town’s website. Phase I is complete and included educating residents about alternative fuels and encouraging them to make the switch; making E85 and B20 alternative fuels available in town; replacing the town’s official vehicles with flex-fuel vehicles; and creating awareness across the USA and the world.

Phase II is the research, development, and implementation of plans to take agricultural and municipal wastes and make electricity from them.

Phase III’s focus is on producing biodiesel from renewable resources and is being worked on at the same time as Phase II.

How close is Reynolds to achieving energy independence? The town is still working on getting rezoning permission for a methane gas producing digester to turn agricultural waste in the area, primarily from pigs, and turn it into electricity. While they are making the effort and working towards achieving their goal, they haven’t reached it yet and may not for another couple of years.

But, their efforts are still admirable and may very well be the model that other communities base themselves on as they work towards creating and using alternative energy resources.