PRESS RELEASE: LOCAL BUSINESSES, MUNICIPALITIES GET CHANCE TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY HEATING
Facilities (6,000 to 25,000 square feet) looking to heat with wood are encouraged to apply; Round 3 grant deadline is November 1, 2010 at 5 p.m.

Walton, NY - The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is funding evaluations of woody biomass heating opportunities for regional businesses, municipalities, non-profits and other institutions.  Any organization with a building ranging from 6,000 to 25,000 square feet located in Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, or Westchester Counties is eligible.  Target facilities include maintenance garages, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and offices.  Grant applications will be available throughout the month of October with an application deadline of November 1.

 

This is the third round of woody biomass heating feasibility grants WAC has made available through its Forestry Program.  While previous rounds focused on facilities over 75,000 square feet, the current funding is directed at smaller-scale, institutional needs.  For both large and small facilities, heating with woody biomass can potentially reduce energy expenses.  Many institutions previously evaluated by the first round, pre-feasibility studies sponsored by WAC's Forestry Program found that switching from their current fuel source (such as fuel oil, propane, or electricity) could save them 50% or more on their annual heating expenses.  In some cases, results indicated that the woody biomass system would pay for itself in lowered heating costs in less than five years.  Switching to biomass also benefits the community by keeping energy dollars local.  Unlike oil, which must be imported to New York from other countries such as those in North Africa or South America, woody biomass is a renewable fuel that can be produced and processed locally.

 

For organizations interested in receiving a biomass evaluation, applications can be downloaded  via WAC's home page at www.nycwatershed.org.  Potential applicants can also request an application by mail by contacting Joshua VanBrakle, the Council's Wood Products Specialist, at (607) 865-7790, ext. 112.  Facilities will have until November 1 to submit completed applications for consideration to WAC.

 

The Watershed Agricultural Council works with over 1,000 farm and forest landowners in and around the New York City Watershed region. The Council currently partners with landowners on 20,000 acres of conservation easements that support farmland preservation efforts. The nonprofit champions economic viability of regional agriculture and forestry industries through the protection of water quality and land resources within the New York City watershed region.  More information on the Watershed Agricultural Council can be found at www.nycwatershed.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START: TODAY
END: November 1, 2010

SUMMARY: Watershed Agricultural Council offers grants for biomass pre-feasibility studies to five watershed applicants through its Forestry Program. Competitive application process ends November 1 at 5 p.m.

BIOMASS GRANT CONTACT:
Wood Products Specialist
(607) 865-7790, ext. 112
WAC CONTACT:
Tara Collins
Communications Director
(607) 865-7090 x226
(607) 643-5148 cell
LINKS OF INTEREST:
The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City Watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, foundation and private sources. The WAC is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.