ME - District Gets Boost For Conversion To Wood Heat

A Rural Development grant totaling $760,000 has been awarded to MSAD 58 to convert school-heating systems from oil to wood-pellet boiler-heating systems

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Boost For Conversion To Wood Heat

BY VALERIE TUCKER
Correspondent
05/22/2009

PHILLIPS A Rural Development grant totaling $760,000 has been awarded to MSAD 58 to convert school-heating systems from oil to wood-pellet boiler-heating systems.

The High Energy Cost Grant awarded by the United States Department of Agricultures Rural Utilities Service was approved last week. Communities with average home-energy costs exceeding 275 percent of the national average were eligible. The programs helps fund the acquisition, construction, or improvement of energy generation, transmission or distribution facilities.

"This was definitely a home-grown project and is the first award we have made to a school system for a biomass-heat project," Karen Larsen, a spokesperson from the office of the Electric Programs assistant administrator, said.

Superintendent Quenten Clark hopes to have the boilers installed in Strong and Kingfield elementary schools and ready to use by this fall.

"I keep telling people we sitting in the Saudi Arabia of wood, and now well be able to keep taxpayers money where it will do the most good," Clark said.

MSAD 58 buys about 110,000 gallons of fuel oil to heat its schools. Clarks said he was happy with the wood-pellet system installed earlier this year at Mt. Abram High School and decided to apply for the grant.

"We worked with Skanden Energy LLC of San Diego, CA to develop a program that will install these biomass-heating systems," Clark said.

"But I really didnt think wed have any chance to get this grant."

The USDA grant requires the district to contribute 10 percent to the total cost of the project.

"The match can be in cash or like-kind contributions, such as staff time, materials et cetera," Larsen said.

The boilers will provide heat and hot water to the schools, and the district expects to purchase wood-pellet fuel produced by a local supplier.

"The cost of energy is rising," USDA Rural Development state director Michael W. Aube said.

"In many communities, homeowners must make difficult decisions between purchasing home heating oil and paying high electric bills and purchasing items such as prescription drugs and groceries. The High Energy Cost Grant may offer relief to communities that are struggling with energy expenses."

Aube said the USDA Rural Developments mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.

"Rural Development has invested nearly $91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure," he said. "More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments."

Additional Information

Web Site: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6370830.html

Category: Forestry>Grants and Incentives

Region: Maine

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