Haines, Hydaburg awarded Forest Service Wood Innovation Grants
JUNEAU — The Haines Borough and the Hydaburg School District were two of 42 Forest Service Wood Innovation Grant recipients. The goal of the grants is to expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs.
The Haines Borough was awarded $250,000 for the design of a wood-fueled district heating system that will heat the Borough’s school, swimming pool, vocational technical school, and other public facilities. The new heating system will potentially save the Borough $3 million and displace the burning of 80,000 gallons of heating fuel per year.
The total project cost is estimated to be $1.5 million, with a $1.2 million construction grant from the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund in conjunction with the $250,000 Wood Innovations Grant.
The Hydaburg School District was awarded $150,000 for the design of a cordwood-fueled heating system that will provide heat to the school buildings and greenhouse. It will potentially displace the burning of 24,600 gallons of heating fuel per year.
The total project cost is estimated to be $892,000, with a $621,000 construction grant from the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund in conjunction with the $150,000 Wood Innovations Grant.
The wood fuel for both projects will be sourced from sustainably managed local forests, creating local jobs.
For more information about the Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Program, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r10/communityforests.
