The University of Iowa has signed a new contract with a Wisconsin company to make fuel pellets out of miscanthus grass and other feedstocks to replace coal.
As part of the 10-year deal, Convergen Energy, based in Green Bay, will build a manufacturing plant within 45 miles of Iowa City by July 2028. Convergen has been making fuel pellets for the UI since 2016. The pellets are a mix of chopped miscanthus grass, paper pulp and non-recyclable materials, such as waxy candy wrappers. Burning the pellets in boilers produces 60% less carbon dioxide than coal.
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Originally published by The Gazette on July 24, 2026.