Newsletter
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Grand Marais/Cook County Community Biomass Energy Feasibility Study
Photo courtesy of Gunflint District - U.S. Forest Service
Given the location of Cook County in northeastern Minnesota and the abundant forest resources in the region, there appear to be opportunities for improved utilization of woody biomass. The citizen’s group known as the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) in conjunction with the Cook County Board of Commissioners desire to explore the feasibility of community-based biomass energy production in Cook County, with particular emphasis on understanding the short and long-term environmental, social, and economic impacts of utilizing woody biomass in this area. A research team lead by Dovetail Partners and including the University of Minnesota and local partners will explore the questions raised by the project and help inform the community's decision making process.
If you would like to provide input to the project, please participate in this online questionnaire:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cookcounty
(click here to download a copy of the questionniare)
Project Timeline
| Timeframe | Key Questions and Milestones |
| Fall 2010 | Initial community meeting, review existing data and identify gaps and information needs |
| Dec. 9, 2010 |
Public Meeting, 7pm, Cook County Courthouse To download the meeting agenda and information sheet, click here. To download the meeting presentation, click here. To download the public input form, click here. |
| Winter - Spring 2011 | Survey and analyze energy demand, data collection for biomass supply potentials, identify energy p roduction alternatives and available technologies for difference sites/scales in Grand Marais and Cook County |
| Summer 2011 | Preliminary report on biomass availability |
| Sept. 20, 2011 |
Phase I report presented to County Commissioners and at a public meeting Click here to download the Phase I Final Report (Updated February 2012) Click here to download the Executive Summary |
| Fall-Winter 2011/12 | Long-term economic forecasting, environmental impact assessment, conduct community meetings |
| Spring 2012 | Complete evaluation of alternative energy production systems |
| Summer 2012 | Develop recommendations, conduct community meeting, deliver final report |
| December 2012 |
Final Project Report - Public Meeting
|
Project Related Information and Resources
- Cook County, Minnesota (website): http://www.co.cook.mn.us/
- Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) (website): http://www.cookcountylep.org/
- Cook County FireWise Information (website): http://www.boreal.org/fireinfo/
- Clean Energy Resource Teams (website): http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/
- University of Minnesota, Center for Environment & Natural Resource Policy (website): http://enrpolicy.forestry.umn.edu/index.htm
- Information about District Energy and Combined Heat and Power (Presentations from a conference held a the University of Minnesota on November 18, 2010)
Project News Releases and Headlines
- Report on Phase I of Cook County Biomass Energy Study Presented (9/27/11)
- Funding approval gives go ahead to bioenergy project (8/5/11)
- Is biomass energy in Cook County's future? (WTIP North Shore Community Radio, 12/23/10)
- New Project to Explore Biomass Energy for Northern Minnesota (11/22/10)
Additional Resources
- Using Biomass in MN (Case Studies - 2011)
- Community-Based Bioenergy and District Heating (Report - 2009)
- Energy From Woody Biomass (Report - 2009)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Project Update & Newsletter February-March 2011 | 539.99 KB |
| Information about Using Wood to Heat Your Home | 299.11 KB |
| Project Update & Newsletter June 2011 | 943.51 KB |
| MN Biomass Harvesting Fact Sheet | 795.45 KB |