OR - First-Ever School Biomass Project To Be Dedicated

"This project demonstrates that by working together we can restore forest health, create economic growth in rural communities, and help Oregon meet its ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions," Gov. Ted Kulongoski said

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First-Ever School Biomass Project To Be Dedicated

9/18/2008

Enterprise Highs landmark boiler system expected to save district $76,000 per year in fuel costs

A dedication ceremony to be held this weekend won't just celebrate a historic, landmark event for Enterprise or Wallowa County. State history will be made, too.

On Friday, Sept. 19, the first-ever biomass boiler system to be installed in an Oregon School District will be the subject of a much-anticipated gathering at Enterprise High School. The ribbon-cutting, dedication and tour of the facility will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

Speakers were still being lined up at press time, but representatives from the project's design company, McKinstry, along with representatives from the Oregon Department of Energy, the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Wallowa County, will be on hand.

According to McKinstry's projections, the biomass project, which took nearly a year to complete, will save the district an estimated $76,000 per year in fuel costs. The project also was the first such initiative to qualify for Oregon's new Renewable Business Energy Tax credit, which provided almost a third of the construction costs. It also makes use of forest products formerly considered refuse.

The project was praised by Governor Ted Kulongoski as a "model for other communities."

"This project demonstrates that by working together we can restore forest health, create economic growth in rural communities, and help Oregon meet its ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions," Gov. Ted Kulongoski said.

McKinstry, in collaboration with a talented team of local contractors, constructed the building that houses the boiler and biomass materials, performed comprehensive lighting retrofits and controls upgrades, and provided a series of energy conservation improvements.

"McKinstry enjoyed being involved in the project for so many reasons," said Cam Hamilton, Business Development Manager for McKinstry's Portland office. "It was a great renewable and energy efficiency project, the people of Enterprise are wonderful, the school district board and administration were engaged and involved, and it keeps the resources in the local economy. It is a win for all that are involved."

The biomass boiler will use renewable fuel gathered from forest management projects and wood manufacturing residues (such as bark, sawdust, chips and veneer cores) provided by local companies in Wallowa and Union counties. The boiler was manufactured by Oregon-based SolaGen.

The Oregon Department of Forestry in La Grande and Wallowa Resources in Enterprise worked closely with project partners to insure a long-term supply of biomass fuel.

The Enterprise School Districts new biomass system is estimated to save over 45,000 gallons of fuel oil per year, and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.016 million pounds, equivalent to removing 67 cars from the road annually or planting 138 acres of trees in Oregon each year.

Additionally, the school district anticipates that the biomass system will provide an annual energy cost savings of at least $76,000.

Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.wallowacountychieftain.info/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=61&ArticleID=16958&TM=52507.42

Category: Forestry>Biomass Energy

Region: Oregon

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