I would like to clarify comments attributed to me in the article titled Public meeting held on Grand Marais biomass heating plant proposal from the December 21 Cook County News- Herald.
The statement attributed to me was actually a question posed by resident, Steve Sande, who had asked whether there would be some “bad days” when some people would be affected by smoke from the proposed biomass district heat plant? My answer to that question was essentially “no.” Other than a small steam plume visible during cold months, we expect the emissions from this plant to be unnoticeable at all times, and at all places, in Grand Marais.
The modern biomass combustion technology being proposed would burn about 15 to 20 times more cleanly than the old high-school biomass burner that many residents remember.
A good example of the low-impact of emissions from community-scaled biomass heating systems are the many small towns in Sweden that have similar plants located in downtown settings. Closer to home, there is a wood-chip burner in Barron, WI adjacent to a hospital and a school, and one in downtown St. Paul, both operating without emissions-related problems.
In response to questions about stack dimensions: the proposed emissions stack would be 30’ to 50’ high, and 1.5’ to 3’ in diameter.
George Wilkes
Co-Chair, Grand Marais District
Heat Task Force
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