In response to Mr. Sylvester’s letter in last week’s edition of the News Herald: It was disheartening to read such a poorly-informed, inaccurate, and misleading letter about the Grand Marais Biomass District Heat Project. If Mr. Sylvester wants to be of service to his community, he should make the small effort required to become familiar with an issue before he opines publicly about it. A few rebuttal points: . Far from being a “fast-moving train” the biomass district heat feasibility process has been a long, slow, deliberate, and inclusive effort to engage the community; to determine what questions needed to be asked; and then to set up a mechanism that would best answer those questions.
Feasibility work began back in 2009. There have been many public meetings and very many solicitations for public participation through all local media outlets. All relevant public agencies have been informed and involved.
And! There is significant public process yet to come when Step 2 of the final feasibility study is completed in late fall. At that time there will, of course, be public meetings and, necessarily, an engaged and well-informed public deliberation as to whether the Grand Marais PUC should move this project forward. . Alas. The estimated project cost is 9 million, not 3 million as stated by Mr. Sylvester. . It has always been the position of the Grand Marais Biomass District Heat Task Force that all construction and operation costs and liabilities would be supported by a combination of project revenues and outside (state, federal, or private) financial assistance. Grand Marais taxpayers will not be put at risk. . All 21 potential customers have had their buildings assessed by an engineer and most have submitted letters of intent to proceed with negotiations. The project will not move forward until all customers have signed long-term contracts. . A key public benefit of this project is the long-term reduction and stabilization of energy costs for local government buildings, the hospital/ Care Center complex, clinic, school/ ACA/YMCA complex, and Great Expectations School.
Additionally, the initial system would serve three churches, two apartment complexes, and five downtown businesses with large heat demand (East Bay Condominiums, Aspen Lodge, Shoreline Inn, Best Western, and NAPA Auto/North Shore Car Wash and Laundromat). The system allows for future expansion to additional commercial and residential buildings.
At this point, the most relevant document is FVB’s Step 1 Report, which is available at www.cookcountylocalenergy.org or view a hard copy at the Grand Marais Library.
George Wilkes
Paul Nelson
Co-Chairs, Grand Marais District
Heat Task Force
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