Biomass fuel a good alternative

SUPERIOR – Biomass heating systems save residents and business owners more money compared to conventional fuels like oil, said the Montana Department of Natural Resources.

According to the DNRC, nearly 90 percent of the boilers used to heat Montana schools and other public facilities are fueled by natural gas. The DNRC also points out that Montana’s forests continue to suffer from hazardous fuel densities, which only increases the risk for wildfires.

Overall, the benefits of heating costs are reduced by 30-70 percent for most large structures. Overall costs for landowners and business are significantly lower than traditional fuel methods, and more jobs are created in communities with large forests that harvest wood for the biomass systems, according to the DNRC. 

Wood fuel costs about one-third the price of natural gas per BTU of heat produced. Burning slash in state-of-the-art boilers releases far fewer pollutants than open burning or wildfires. 

The bond proposal for Superior Public Schools includes a building upgrade for the middle school as well as implementing biomass to heat the schools, which will save money on other heating sources, according to Scott Kinney, Superior Schools superintendent.

Biomass heating systems work when wood material is thrown into a hopper, which is then burned to create heat. The heat flows through the desired building. Materials can include slash from hazardous fuel treatment projects, forest management activities and timber operations, says the DNRC.

Facilities that qualify for a biomass system typically only spends around $20,000 annually on natural heating costs then these buildings should probably stick to their current heating source, according to the DNRC. 

Other biomass fuel sources can include wood pellets, sawmill residues and municipal wood waste.

Fuel savings with a biomass boiler system installation usually depends on a facility’s heat demand. Because the unit cost of heat from biomass is lower than the fossil fuel it replaces, the savings may add up faster for larger heat users. 

Members of the Superior community will head to the polls in June, and perhaps the biggest issue on the ballot will be whether or not voters will approve a $3.99 million bond proposal for Superior Public Schools.

The Fuels for Schools and Beyond was originally offered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division to assist schools financially with installing a biomass system while promoting the use of biomass heating systems that burn waste wood. That program is no longer in effect, which only further adds to the funds sought by Superior Schools.

Superior Public Schools will continue to hold informational sessions throughout the month of May to address community questions regarding the bond proposal before the election.

On May 8 and May 21 the committee consisting of school and community members, will present their plan to all interested residents. Each presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. At the conclusion of each session the committee will answer any and all questions that residents propose.

There will also be a series of small group informational sessions. Two will occur at Castles Grocery Store on May 7 at 4:00 p.m. and May 10 at 9:00 a.m.

The committee will also present at the Superior Senior Center on April 30 at 4:30 p.m.