Dovetail Partners, which has been working with the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) over the last couple of years to study the feasibility of biomass energy projects in Cook County, has published a report on its findings. The study also included biomass feasibility in the city of Ely.
The study investigated biomass energy options, impacts and tradeoffs for the two communities.
The final report, Community- Driven Biomass Energy Opportunities: A Northern Minnesota Case Study, describes the interest of the two communities in using timber harvest residuals, sub-merchantable timber, and waste wood to heat homes, businesses, and government buildings in either stand-alone or district energy systems.
The case studies provide insight into developing and implementing bioenergy facilities and address the topics of wood supply, technological options, financial feasibility, emissions, environmental impacts, and supply chain opportunities and hurdles. Several alternatives were investigated that can aid other communities interested in bioenergy facilities.
Project funding was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the USFS Wood Education and Resource Center. The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
Interested community members can find the report online at the CCLEP website, www.cookcountylocalenergy.org (under “program areas – biomass – Dovetail Phase II Final Report”), and the Cook County website, www.co.cook.mn.us (under “one percent sales tax – biomass energy – project updates – Community-driven Biomass Energy Opportunities, Final Report”). A hard copy is available at the Grand Marais Public Library.
According to CCLEP representatives, work continues on exploring the possibility of constructing a biomass district heating plant for governmental and large commercial buildings in Grand Marais. The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission, which would likely own the facility, is following this stage of the process as it unfolds.
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