Biomass on the front burner for Wisconsin schools

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

From an article by Chris Vetter in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:

Eleven schools in Wisconsin are heated with biomass materials such as wood or corn.

Rod Nilsestuen, state secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, wants to see that number increase.

Nilsestuen spoke to 25 eighth-graders at DeLong Middle School on Tuesday about the growth in biomass energy in the state and opportunities to use it to heat schools.

About a third of the schools in the state would save money if they switched to a biomass heating system, Nilsestuen said.

School districts that need to replace boilers should look at biomass options. Implementing a biomass system would cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million, which is comparable to a fuel boiler, he said.

"The biggest hurdle is making it clear it works," Nilsestuen said. "Many schools can save $100,000 to $200,000 if they make use of wood."