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Fuels for Schools Boiler Conversion Program
The Climate Trust has contracted with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to buy offsets from fuel-replacement projects at schools and other facilities in Montana. The funds are being used in conjunction with funding from the U.S. Forest Service's Fuels for Schools program to overcome financial barriers many schools and other entities face when converting steam boilers to burn woody biomass rather than fossil fuels. The Montana projects use wood pellets from local mills. The pellets are composed of waste materials resulting from forestry management practices. It is anticipated that eight to 10 entities will receive offset funding as a result of this partnership. How the project reduces emissions The projects reduce carbon dioxide emissions by converting steam boilers to burn woody biomass. Woody biomass is available locally in Montana and displaces the use of fossil fuels, such as natural gas, propane, and No.2 fuel oil. Burning woody biomass is considered to have a net-zero effect on the atmospheric carbon balance because the fuel stock would otherwise be burned or decompose and release carbon dioxide, so there is no net gain of CO2 in the atmosphere. Additional CO2 reduction benefits may occur from this project. Forest management practices, such as thinning, are considered a beneficial way to restore forests to their natural state and prevent catastrophic fires. Forest fires emit massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere each year. Management practices may also lead to an increase in the amount of carbon absorbed by large diameter trees because of less competition from smaller diameter trees. Why carbon finance was needed The Climate Trust's funding is being used in conjunction with funding from the federal Fuels for Schools program to overcome financial barriers many schools and other nonprofit and public entities face when converting their steam boilers.  top |
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Project type: Fuel replacement Project term: 15 years
The Fuels for Schools project was featured in American Forests magazine's summer 2009 issue. Read "Thermal Biomass: Burning for Acceptance." |
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