Consultants report progress on study of school’s proposed woodfired boiler

Eight Talkeetna residents gathered at the Su Valley High School on Thursday night in an informal meeting with consultants studying the feasibility of a woodfired boiler system for the new school building. Analyst Cal Kerr with Northern Economics and Thomas Deerfield with Dalson Energy came to Talkeetna to solicit input and to hear the locals’ thoughts, ideas and concerns.

Story and photo by Diana Haecker

Quoting their experience with school owned wood fired boiler systems across the nation, they said that community involvement and support is crucial in the success of those projects.

The consultants suggest the use of clean-burning Garn Wood Heating systems and estimate that 300 cords of wood would be used to feed the stoves.

In the meeting, forestry issues came up when participants discussed the wood source, expressing the wish for sustainable harvest. However, the feasibility study will not address the forestry issues but limit its scope on the engineering and economics aspects of using wood as a resource, Kerr said.

Woodfired boiler proponent Tami Hamler said that the community is not interested in buying the cheapest wood, but stressed the wish to practice sustainable harvest. She said that the purpose of the idea was to use local resources wisely in order to become more independent energy wise. She added that she is sensitive to the fact that forestry issues are part of the discussion on where to get the wood from.

The Borough’s Public Works Department commissioned the consultants to conduct a feasibility study last year. The $25,000 study is funded with $5,000 from the Borough and $20,000 from a state Alaska Energy Authority grant. Kerr said that he expects the feasibility study to be complete in six to eight weeks.

Story and photo by Diana Haecker