Out West: Biomass Energy Curbs Wildfires, Reduces Heating Cost
Released
on: September 16, 2008, 9:20 am
Press
Release Author: Velocity7 Communications
Industry:
Environment
Press
Release Summary: Fuels for Schools and Beyond
is a recognized national leader in community biomass
projects, moving into providing biomass energy for schools and
private enterprise while maintaining healthy forests.
The
Fuels for Schools and Beyond program is a partnership
between the USDA Forest Service’s State & Private
Forestry Division, the State Foresters of Montana, North Dakota,
Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, and the Bitter Root Resource
Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area, Inc., to
promote and facilitate the use of forest biomass waste for heating,
cooling and power in public and private buildings.
These
organizations are advancing local and national policies in biomass
utilization, and ensuring the viability of the nation’s
forests and communities.
There
are currently 14 biomass boilers operating throughout North Dakota,
Montana, Idaho and Nevada with two more in the design or construction
phase. While continuing to provide support to existing projects,
the program is now actively advancing “wood to energy”
for private enterprise.
Dave
Atkins, Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program Manager,
from Missoula Montana, is one of the presenters at Sierra Solutions
conference in Mammoth Lakes, California October 3-4, 2008.
Press
Release Body: After the wildfires in the summer of 2000,
which burned over 350,000 acres and 70 structures in the Bitterroot
Valley of Montana, a resident of Darby, Montana began to research
ways in which to tie fire hazard reduction work with economic
development in the valley. Discovering that waste wood was being
used to heat a number of schools in the northeastern U.S., this
individual approached community leaders with the idea of using
slash (tree limbs, tops and branches) from hazardous fuels reduction
projects for heat in Darby’s schools. With the aid of a
grant from the Economic Action Program and assistance from the
Bitter Root RC&D, USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory
and the Biomass Energy Resource Center, a biomass boiler system
was planned, designed and installed at Darby and began heating
three schools in the fall of 2003.
Today,
Fuels for Schools and Beyond is a recognized national
leader in community biomass projects, moving into providing biomass
energy for schools and private enterprise while maintaining healthy
forests.
The
Fuels for Schools and Beyond program is a partnership between
the USDA Forest Service’s State & Private Forestry Division,
the State Foresters of Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, Utah
and Wyoming, and the Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development
(RC&D) Area, Inc., to promote and facilitate the use of forest
biomass waste for heating, cooling and power in public and private
buildings.
These
organizations are advancing local and national policies in biomass
utilization, and ensuring the viability of the nation’s
forests and communities.
There
are currently 14 biomass boilers operating throughout North Dakota,
Montana, Idaho and Nevada with two more in the design or construction
phase. While continuing to provide support to existing projects,
the program is now actively advancing “wood to energy”
for private enterprise.
Dave
Atkins, Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program Manager,
from Missoula Montana, is one of the presenters at Sierra Solutions
conference in Mammoth Lakes, California October 3-4, 2008.
ABOUT
THE CONFERENCE: SIERRA SOLUTIONS—Tools for Sustainable Communities,
Economies and the Environment October 3-4, 2008 Mammoth Resort
Conference Center Mammoth Lakes, CA
Hosted by The Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy,
SIERRA SOLUTIONS highlights leading sustainability speakers, who
believe
“The
Sierra Nevada is a place that serves as a model for the rest of
the nation – it is a place where we pursue a green economy,
support valuable ecosystems, and design sustainable communities.”
Steve Frisch, Sierra Business Council
Solution-based tools, processes and opportunities for ensuring
sustainable and vibrant Sierra communities, landscapes and local
economies are the focus of this 2-day event in scenic Mammoth,
California.
Conference
details—Nikki Streegan 530.582.4800
######
Web
Site: http://www.sbcouncil.org/Events/Schedule
Contact
Details: Conference details—Nikki Streegan 530.582.4800
nstreegan@sbcouncil.org
PR
Details—Pamela Biery 530.470.9292
pamela@velocity7.com
2022
