DEED Awards Funding for Three Biomass Projects

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has approved funding under the new Biomass Energy Program for three projects in Greater Minnesota. DEED officials awarded grants to the following projects:

• $343,000 to Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Public Schools in west central Minnesota to install a school heating system that will burn wood chips and corn cobs;
   
• $337,500 to Winona in southeastern Minnesota for a system that will capture and pre-treat methane gas for use in a micro-turbine generator that will produce electricity; and
   
• $300,000 to Roseau in northwestern Minnesota to design and build a gasifer plant that will produce electricity.

“The Biomass Energy Program is part of an overall effort in the state to conserve energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “These three projects illustrate that Minnesotans are using their ingenuity and initiative to address our energy needs.”

he 2008 Minnesota Legislature allocated $1.75 million for the Biomass Energy Program for infrastructure improvements related to biomass energy projects. Under the criteria of the program, each project must demonstrate reduced usage of non-renewable fuel and energy in a public-owned facility or system by using renewable energy technology.

Each community must provide matching funds of at least 50 percent for each project.

Three other projects in Greater Minnesota are under consideration for grants from the program, pending local approval of matching funds. Communities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are not eligible for the program.

Contacts:

Martin Heidelberger, superintendent of schools, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Public Schools, 320-264-1411

Dan Wicka, safety coordinator, Winona Fire Department, 507-457-8255

Jeff Pelowksi, mayor, city of Roseau, 218-463-1542