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6.14.
Regular City Council Meeting
Meeting Date:
04/27/2021
Information
Agenda Item
Resolution - Wastewater Utilities:
Consider a resolution in support of Texas Tech University's efforts to obtain grant funding for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC), called the Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER).
Item Summary
Texas Tech University (TTU) is seeking grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create an Engineering Research Center (ERC) called the Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (“CASFER”). CASFER’s vision is to enable resilient and sustainable food production by developing next generation, modular, distributed, and efficient technology for capturing, recycling, and producing nitrogen-based fertilizers and transforming agricultural practices in the United States.
An ERC is a 10-year investment of over $50 million in federal and matching funds. If selected, TTU partners would include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida A&M University and Case Western University. In addition, the NSF requires that the CASFER have at least 15 initial members. TTU is seeking support and participation from the City of Lubbock in the CASFER. The City would participate in the following ways:
Allow TTU to sample and analyze sludge from the Southeast Wastewater Reclamation Plant (SEWRP).
Cooperate with TTU in pilot testing new technologies at the SEWRP.
Join the CASFER as a supporting member for $15,000 annually. (Membership may be discontinued after the first year if the City no longer desires to participate.)
Submit a letter of support to the NSF.
By supporting and participating in the CASFER, the City may realize the following potential benefits:
Development of cost effective technologies that could create a revenue source from the City’s wastewater sludge and eliminate sludge hauling costs to the landfill.
Pilot testing and sludge sampling at the City’s wastewater facilities could result in opportunities to reduce treatment costs associated with nitrogen reduction.
New businesses associated with fertilizer products would create economic development opportunities for Lubbock.
City staff recommends supporting and participating in the CASFER.
Fiscal Impact
$15,000 annual membership to CASFER would be paid from the Wastewater Operating Budget, if TTU is awarded the NSF grant, .
Staff/Board Recommending
Jesica McEachern, Assistant City Manager
Attachments
Resolution - CASFER
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