Grants available for five biomass studies

Feb 28 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.

The U.S. Forest Service has grant money available for five more north country entities to have free preliminary biomass feasibility studies.

The studies, available to businesses, public entities or nonprofits, will explore the feasibility of using biomass as a renewable energy option for reducing energy costs.

"It's money not used elsewhere," said David J. Zembiec, deputy CEO of the Jefferson County Job Development Corp. and co-chairman of Drum Country Biomass Working Group. "They said if there is more interest, we have more funding available."

The studies are available through the Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center. The studies otherwise would cost $5,000 to $7,500 each, depending on the level of complexity.

Yellow Wood Associates, St. Albans, Vt., conducts the studies in the three-county region represented by the Drum Country Biomass Working Group.

At first, the area had 11 facilities approved for feasibility studies, which recently were completed. Each preliminary feasibility study includes an evaluation of the client site's current fuel use, a characterization of biomass energy opportunities and an analysis that lays out estimated costs against projected savings.

Forest Service assistance available in phase two of the feasibility process will be done by Wilson Engineering, Meadville, Pa. Biomass was determined to be a cost-effective option for six facilities: Brasher Falls Central School District, the Burrows Paper plant in Lyonsdale, Clifton-Fine Central School District, Colton-Pierrepont Central School District, Potsdam Central School District and Salmon River Central School District.

The Burrows Paper plant is considering the possibility of biomass, while three of the school districts will have meetings with Wilson Engineering. Colton-Pierrepont, Potsdam and Clifton-Fine districts will have follow-up meetings.

Entities must submit a two-page application by Friday.

For more information, Jefferson County entities should call Mr. Zembiec at 782-5865, Lewis County entities should call Joseph R. Lawrence at Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 376-5270 and St. Lawrence County organizations should call Jon R. Montan in the St. Lawrence County Planning Department at 379-2292.