U Of M Awarded $250,000 For UM Biomass Plant

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vlisack announced yesterday the award of nearly $3 million in grants to 17 small businesses and community groups to develop wood-to-energy projects that require engineering services and will help expand regional economies and create new jobs. Out of the 34 applicants three were chosen in Montana: Stoltze Land & Lumber of Columbia Falls will receive $190,720 Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake will receive $202,727 and the University of Montana will receive $250,000. Biomass expert from the Forest Products lab, Sue Le.Van says the clean renewable energy  project at the U of M will offset Missoula’s Co2 admissions.

Le.Van says woody biomass will be processed in bio-energy facilities at the University to produce green energy for heating and electricity.

Those in opposition to the biomass project at the University say it will increase pollutants and undermine efforts to reduce wood burning in the valley.