>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

BIOMASS technology: David Naccarato of Siemens Building Technologies (left) talks about the boiler system for Veterans Pool with pool manager Teresa Stein. The facility is one that could in the future benefit from biomass technology. Pictured at right is Rick Wagner, stewardship forester and biomass coordinator for the Oregon Department of Forestry. (The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH).

Bill Rautenstrauch

The Observer

An international company with a strong interest in alternative fuels recently sent a representative to La Grande to speak on biomass.

David Naccarato of Siemens Building Technologies addressed a group of local community, government and economic development leaders on the technology, which utilizes wood chips to generate heat or power.

"Projected over 20 years, biomass becomes pretty attractive compared to other fuel sources," Naccarato said.

Naccarato, an energy services and solutions account executive, said Siemens is in the business of building biomass systems for public institutions.

His company recently designed and built a heating system for the Council, (Idaho) School District. He said the boiler is the first in Idaho to utilize biomass.

With that system fired up, Siemens continues to spread the word on the technology.

In addition to Union County, Naccarato said he has made presentations in Baker and Wallowa counties and in Sisters.

He added that Siemens is involved in a feasibility study for a co-generation plant in Adams County, Idaho.

Though start-up cost for a biomass system are high, the technology itself isn't particularly complicated, said Naccarato.

"Biomass is feasible," he said. "There's nothing about it that's challenging or difficult. You take wood chips and burn them. We've been doing that since the dawn of time."

Naccarato said a community thinking of using biomass needs to consider economic, political and contractual feasibility.

He said the systems are almost never "plug and play," meaning that buildings usually need renovation to accommodate the new design.

"It is expensive. It takes a lot of money to design and build. You've got to be sure it makes sense economically," Naccarato said.

He said sources of funding may include state loans, tax credits, grants, tax exempt municipal bonds and other avenues. Public support for a proposed project is crucial.

"A project will never happen in Union County unless there's political will behind it," Naccarato said.

Siemens and other companies that specialize in biomass arrange performance contracts with customers.

Performance contracts are state-approved contracts that guarantee building costs, systems performance and energy cost savings.

The savings are not realized overnight. It may take 10 or 20 years for a community to recoup its investment.

"Biomass costs more up front, but will save you money over time," Naccarato said. "If we say you are going to save a certain amount of money, and you don't, we write you a check."

Naccarato said his company is interested in northeast Oregon for several reasons, not the least of which is an abundance of biomass fuel.

Forest waste is plentiful, and projects built here aren't likely to run out of wood chips.

That's an important consideration for companies like Siemens, which guarantee customers a fuel supply for the life of the system.

"The Pacific Northwest is the Saudi Arabia of biomass technology," Naccarato said.

Biomass production can be attractive for communities with with struggling resource economies, said Naccarato.

He added that the technology is considered viable by people on both sides of the environmental issue.

"Biomass is something both sides can agree on," Naccarato said. "The left likes it because it's sustainable and renewable, and the right likes it because it goes well with the healthy forest initiative," he said.

No specific projects are being considered for Union, Baker and Wallowa counties at the present time.

But during his Union County visit, Naccarato toured La Grande's Veterans Memorial Pool, Eastern Oregon University and the business and technology park on Gekeler Lane.

"Projects always begin with people being interested," he said.

Conference Saturday in Baker City addresses alternative energy sources

Alternative energy sources are the focus of a conference in Baker City Friday and Saturday.

The Northeast Oregon Renewable Energy Conference, designed for community leaders, economic developers, farmers, ranchers and business people, will explore community-scale energy projects in northeast Oregon. Emphasis will be placed on biomass, biodiesel and wind power.

A highlight is a presentation from the U.S. Forest Service on the Fuel for Schools program, an initiative that began four years ago in Montana.

The program involves revamping or replacing boilers that use fuel oil or natural gas with ones that burn wood chips or wood pellets.

According to Randy Joseph, chair of the Baker County Power Generation Task Force, 34 schools in five states are involved the program.

The full slate of events opens Friday at 8 a.m. with comments from Fred Warner, Jr. of the Baker County Board of Commissioners.

Warner's comments will be followed by a presentation on biomass quantity and type for Union, Wallowa and Baker Counties.

Speakers include Rick Wagner of the Oregon Department of Forestry, Cory Parsons of the OSU Baker County Extension Office and Scott Fairley of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Other topics covered Friday are Fuel for Schools, other biomass options, biomass utilization and the environmental benefits and consequences, and energy efficiency in new and existing schools and other buildings.

Saturday's opening comments will be delivered by Oregon State Rep. Tom Butler.

Following Butler's remarks, Al Goziak, president of Pendleton Grain Growers, will talk about why his company is becoming involved in biodiesel production.

Biodiesel crops and how they grow, environmental reasons for biodiesel, an introduction to wind power and small wind farm project development are topics slated for coverage Saturday afternoon.

As the conference winds down, speakers will look at funding for renewable energy projects, public-private partnership networking, and benefits and challenges of alternative energy projects.

Cost of the conference is $25 per day and includes lunch.

For more information or to sign-up, visit www.bakercounty.org or call (541) 523-8200.