Heating Bozeman High with wood chips could save money in long run. Fuels for Schools

Burning waste wood left over from logging to heat Bozeman High School could save money in the long run, according to a new report.

"It does look feasible," says Gary Griffith, who’s in charge of the Bozeman School District’s major school construction projects.
*

Installing what’s called a biomass boiler could cost an estimated $880,000, Griffith said. The district would seek to offset the initial expense by applying for a federal Fuels for Schools grant.

The annual savings from heating the high school could pay for the new boiler in 9.6 years — or sooner, if the cost of natural gas keeps rising or if the district decided not to buy the most expensive boiler, Griffith said.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER Chronicle Staff Writer

For more information about Montana’s Fuels for Schools program, call (406) 542-4239 or visit: http://www.fuelsforschools.org

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2006/07/06/breakingnews/40report.txt

University of Montana-Western Campus Breaks Ground on Biomass Heating System http://www.matr.net/article-19085.html

Eureka School district to pursue biomass power generation. Receives $400K from Forest Service as first step http://www.matr.net/article-18735.html

Banking on biomass. Western Woodfuels of Whitefish, Montana http://www.matr.net/article-18593.html

Fuels for Schools Construction Grant RFP. Is your school ready to benefit? http://www.matr.net/article-17914.html