ISTC News Highlights

colorful vegetables

New law fosters farmers’ fresh produce donations to Illinois food banks

With Governor JB Pritzker’s signature on House Bill 2879, the Farm to Food Bank Program has been established in Illinois. The program helps farmers donate their surplus produce to local food banks and assists more than 1 million Illinoisans facing food insecurity. An ongoing three-year Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) effort, which includes a feasibility study and pilot projects, has proven that the program can be successful in Illinois.


Bank of Direct Air Capture intake fans to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

ISTC selected to lead feasibility studies for three Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), in collaboration with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), has announced the selection of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to lead three Topic Area 1 (Feasibility) Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs. ISTC is the project lead. Read the full DOE announcement.


close look young corn plants in an agricultural field

Scientists study how a diabetes drug affects soils

The transport of pharmaceuticals released from sewage treatment plants into farmland soils, with the potential to load into drinking water sources, is one that researchers at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) study carefully. Even at low concentrations, medications can affect water ecosystems and soil health.