Is BioTown USA running on fumes? Some say that the ambitious farming hamlet of Reynolds, Indiana, which set out to become the nation’s first energy independent town, has hit a few bumps on the road to their renewable Shangri-La.

Since 2005, Reynolds has been working toward generating its own electricity and gas for all homes and businesses by using a variety of renewable resources ” from municipal trash to hog manure, and even town sewage. Called BioTown USA, the project was designed and fast-tracked by the Indiana Department of Agriculture. One of the major appeals of the project was its promise of decreased energy costs to the residents of Reynolds. With crude oil around $100 a barrel right now, a barrel of biomass at $40 holds promising relief for rising fuel costs.

The early charge was led by both industry and government officials, with BP offering to build the town gas pump that doles out an ethanol fuel blend, and South Dakota-based VeraSun Energy Corporation beginning construction on an ethanol production plant on the outskirts of town.

Farmer William Schroeder, one of Reynolds’ 550 residents, says that without a blueprint, the town has had to figure things out as they go along.   As expected with any hopeful prototype, this living laboratory for future energy independent communities has met certain obstacles. The town has been dealing with financing troubles, delays in getting projects off the ground, and changes in leadership. All of these factors have left doubts as to whether the vision for the sustainable homegrown energy community is, in fact, sustainable.

Creating a project as ambitious and innovative as BioTown is something that can’t be done overnight. It took over eight years to build a small German village that currently runs on renewable energy.

Schroeder, a fourth-generation farmer, says Reynolds could be a trendsetter. “Whether this works or not, I hope someone looks back someday and says, “There’s a group of people who tried something,” ‘ he said. “I think the American people are ready for this.”

and learn more about the four major goals of the BioTown Project, and how they’re turning challenges into opportunities. You can also and find out about bio-energy advocacy campaigns at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ website.