Fuels for Schools
Report of Consultant Activities - August 31, 2007 (pdf)
STATE: Idaho
RC&D Area: Idaho
PROJECT NO: 05-FFS-01B
ATTACHMENT A – FY2008
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK
FOR
FUELS FOR SCHOOLS (FFS) PROGRAM and
WOOD TO ENERGY GRANT PROJECT IN IDAHO
(July 1, 2007 – August 31, 2008)
Consultant Progress Report: August 31, 2007
Note: The funding and program plans for the Fuels for Schools program were delayed pending results of a grant application for a new Forest Service grant program called Wood to Energy “Jump Start.” The successful receipt of the grant was not announced until the end of July. The Fuels for Schools & Beyond and Wood to Energy (Jumpstart) programs have now been combined into one project. Program plans were developed in August. The following are the desired outcomes for the project in Idaho for the period from July 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008. Current progress on completion of each Outcome follows its description.
Desired Outcomes:
- Analyze the statewide boiler database and determine a list of large facilities such as hospitals, universities and prisons, most likely in need of new boilers. Outcome: A list of institutions most likely to utilize woody biomass as a heating fuel in the next few years.
Progress: The boiler database is being analyzed to identify prospect facilities.
- Determine and work with the key contacts within the facilities and organizations identified in item 1 above to assess the feasibility of converting to or building new woody biomass energy systems. This will include facilitation of engineering assessments for at least three organizations and evaluation of local wood biomass supplies, delivery and opportunities for funding assistance to complete conversion to or new construction of woody biomass powered heating/energy systems. Approximately $30,000 will be available to help these facilities with these assessments as an incentive, though these will require a match by the recipient facility in cash or in-kind contribution in an amount equal to or greater than the funding provided. Consultant work will also include involving other State Departments and economic development organizations to help facilitate funding of wood biomass conversion/building projects. Outcome: Identify eight large facilities within the state and facilitate engineering assessments for three of these. For those facilities in which assessments indicate conversion to or use of woody biomass is economically feasible, facilitate involvement of other agencies and organizations that can help provide funding support.
Progress: Waiting on completion of boiler data analysis. A review of prior preliminary engineering assessments made for FFS has indicated possible candidates at St. Maries by combining the “Federal Building” and the Hospital and a project at Orofino combining the Prison, High School and Hospital.
- Since the locations of the facilities identified in items one and two above are likely to be in or near urban areas, an inventory and assessment of urban wood waste will be completed, specifically the material going to landfills and generated by utility companies and other green infrastructure. An assessment of businesses with the capability to process and deliver woody biomass for the potential projects mentioned in step two will also be completed. This information will be used to match fuel source to potential users, increasing the viability of conversion while addressing concerns about a reliable fuel source. Outcome: Develop and publish an inventory of stable supply wood biomass from urban wood waste to be used for the promotion of the large facility wood fueled heat conversion /construction and those businesses currently capable of processing and delivering this material. Matching these supply sources and businesses to the facilities identified in items one and two above is an important outcome.
Progress: I am collecting previously published reports and waiting on completion of boiler data analysis to focus on specific areas.
- Provide assistance to at least two active woody biomass investigative/development groups within the state. Focus should initially be on the SW Idaho Biomass Group & Shoshone/Benewah/Clearwater Group. Should other biomass working groups arise for which assistance could effectively jump start their efforts, the contractor may suggest modification of this scope item to target these groups. The Contractor will work with these groups to help them develop the capacity, contacts, knowledge and ability to implement wood biomass projects within their local areas. Outcomes: Through this assistance, help create sustainable local organizations to promote and implement economically viable woody biomass energy markets. The development of at least one new wood chip resource and the creation of at least one new wood biomass or small wood using enterprise in each area will be an indicator of success.
Progress: On July 26 & 27 I met with an economic development group in Salmon, Idaho and made a presentation on FFS & Beyond. The days were spent examining the potential for woody biomass and small diameter wood use in the Salmon area. On July 31 I met with Craig Foss, and Dave Stephenson from IDL and Kim Golden from Panhandle Lakes RC&D to discuss the plans for the new program integrating FFS and the Forest Service Jump Start Grant. On August 2 I met with Ron Haxton from Siemens Energy Technologies to discuss woody biomass projects at Council and Kellogg.
- Continue support for Kellogg FFS project. Facilitate development of the final report and information and data needed by the USDA FS Woody Biomass coordinator for Regions 1 and 4. Outcome: A final report on the woody biomass boiler project submitted by the Kellogg School District and the District’s understanding and follow-through on additional information and data required.
Progress: On August 28 the Kellogg School District held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new woody biomass fueled heating system at the middle school. Ceremony was presided over by Sandra Pommerening, Superintendent. Attending were members of the Kellogg Board of Trustees with Byron Morgan, Chairman. Siemens Building Technologies, Ben Seitz, Dist, General Manager. USDA Forest Service, Peggy Polichio,Dist.1 State & Private Forestry; Randy Swick, District Ranger. Idaho Department of Lands, Craig Foss, Chief Forestry Assistance Bureau , David Stephenson. Panhandle Lakes RC&D Coordinator Kim Golden, Idaho State Senator Broadsword.
- Participate in State Biomass Advisory Committee via video or phone conferencing as appropriate. Outcome: Woody biomass is considered as a viable option for renewable energy in Idaho.
Progress: On August 6 I flew to Boise and on August 7 gave a 45 minute briefing on the progress and future of the Fuels for Schools & Beyond program in Idaho to the Idaho Legislature interim Committee on Idaho National Forest & Woody Biomass. Dave Atkins, USDA Forest Service FFS program manager also gave a presentation on use of woody biomass in the west. Richard Furman, Idaho Department of Lands, Biomass Coordinator, addressed IDL programs, resources and funding for woody biomass. Committee Co-Chair Senator Broadsword also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at Kellogg. We discussed the progress of the committee and she asked the Forest Service attendees for copies of recent biomass initiatives in Washington and Oregon.
- Continue support of FFS and Beyond projects that engineering assessments have identified as feasible for conversion to wood fueled heating systems – St. Maries, Priest River, Mullen, Council, Cascade, Orofino. Outcome: Facilities have the information and contacts to successfully move toward implementation. Where local Woody Biomass Committees exist (SW Idaho, Shoshone/Benewah/Clearwater), transition support of the facilities to these organizations. Also utilize RC&D’s to look for/write grant proposals to help support implementation of these projects.
Progress: A review of prior preliminary engineering assessments made for FFS has indicated possible candidates at St. Maries by combining the “Federal Building” and the Hospital and a project at Orofino combining the Prison, High School and Hospital. Further evaluation is in progress. On August 2 I met with Ron Haxton from Siemens Energy Technologies to discuss woody biomass projects at Council, Kellogg and other locations.
- Work with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to understand and address air quality issues relative to woody biomass boiler/heating systems. Outcome: Issues are identified and acceptable methodologies for addressing these issues are developed. These will be written up in a document that can be provided as reference to facilities considering biomass fueled technology.
Progress: The Idaho DEQ is coordinating with Aspen Engineering in process of reviewing the report on the stack emissions testing that was done at the woody biomass fueled heating system in Council, Idaho. When this review is complete we are planning a meeting to discuss the findings of the report.
- Understand funding and assistance opportunities available through the Idaho Departments of Commerce and Department of Water Resources, USDA Rural Economic Development and other State, Federal and Local agencies. Outcome: List of appropriate contacts and development of a catalog of assistance and funding opportunities.
Progress: List of grant opportunities done for FFS is being reviewed and updated with emphasis on funding of larger projects.
- Compile all current woody biomass inventory information – i.e. from economic development organizations, fuel reduction project assessments, IDL internal data, etc. Have this information available as reference for potential volume of biomass availability in Idaho.
Progress: Data collection has begun.
- Coordinate contacts, media and outreach efforts, and other work completed under this scope of work with the Idaho Department of Lands Biomass Coordinator.
Progress: I have provided Richard (Tiny) Furman, IDL Biomass Coordinator with an electronic listing of the contact information I have developed over the last four years of the FFS program. The list contains contact information for 192 individuals interested or associated with woody biomass use & development.
Other Activities – At request of Forest Service I am working on “Making Wood Work” national workshop to be held in Missoula, MT October 16-18, 2007. I am also working on transitioning my work on the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference 2008 to be held in Portland, OR in January 2008 over to a Forest Service Economic Development person in the Portland area.
Respectfully submitted August 31, 2007
Mike Tennery
Idaho FFS-Jump Start Coordinator
Phone: 208-659-3752
Email: ffsidaho@roadrunner.com
