HomeMy WebLinkAboutUSKH Letter of RecommendationOctober 7, 2008
P J Ford Slack, Superintendant
Delta Greely School District
PO Box 527
Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
Subject: AEA Renewable Energy Fund Grant Proposal
Delta Greely HS Biomass Project
Re: A sensible and sustainable project
Dear Dr. Ford Slack: Dear Dr. Ford Slack:
After meeting with you and various others at Delta Greely High School on September 18th, and
being enlightened with a broad depth of information regarding this project, I am compelled to
send you this letter supporting your project. The School District and the Delta community have
obviously been doing their homework on biomass, which presents a great opportunity for a
number of reasons:
After meeting with you and various others at Delta Greely High School on September 18th, and
being enlightened with a broad depth of information regarding this project, I am compelled to
send you this letter supporting your project. The School District and the Delta community have
obviously been doing their homework on biomass, which presents a great opportunity for a
number of reasons:
• Available Fuel Source• Available Fuel Source: As advocated by the State of Alaska Department of Natural
Resources, an ample, renewable wood supply is available from the Division of Forestry;
most of it is down, no mass clearing is involved, and removing it will reduce fire hazards.
• Energy Savings: Substantial energy savings have been calculated by biomass engineers
at CTA. In addition, a price commitment from a local firm to provide wood chips assures
the analysis is based on reasonable numbers.
• Renewable Resource: This is truly a renewable resource, which is needed to help
reduce our state’s dependence on fossil fuel.
• Improved Air Quality: Clean burning wood chips in a high efficiency boiler system will
reduce emissions by burning less fuel oil.
• Community Economics: The project would provide local jobs, and over the long term
would keep dollars in the local community by using a local resource that does not have
to be imported.
• Coordination with School Energy Upgrade Project: With a newly DEED funded project
for upgrade of the school’s thermal and energy systems just now beginning, a unique
opportunity for fully coordinated development between the design of the new
conventional central heating and a wood chip boiler plant will allow both projects to be
designed for interoperation and optimal efficiency, with no retrofitting or redesign
required at a later date.
P J Ford-Slack, Superintendant
Delta Greely School District
October 7, 2008
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It is programs like the AEA Renewable Energy Fund Grants that will help our state and nation
resolve the growing energy crisis. The Delta Greely School District has a prime candidate in this
biomass project. Based on the above reasons, as well as on the diligence I have seen in the
District taking responsible care of its current facilities, this project is bound for success.
Best regards for a successful proposal!
Sincerely,
USKH, Inc.
Gary H. Pohl, AIA, CCS
Principal
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