Could Haines support a wood-pellet manufacturing plant?
The Chilkoot Indian Association, the Haines Energy Sustainability Commission and the Haines Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a presentation by two entrepreneurs with expertise in wood-pellet heating to address the question.
Chris Brooks, founder of Vermont Wood Pellet Company, and Andy Boutin, a pellet company engineer, will discuss wood -pellet heating and manufacturing with residents at a meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 in the assembly chambers.
Brooks, who has been hired by the CIA for a feasibility study on a pellet production plant, said he is coming to Haines with as many questions as answers.
“So far, I’m optimistic,” about the economics of a plant, adding that spruce pellets can “turn out an incredibly good product.”
One ton of spruce pellets equals over 120 gallons of fuel oil and creates roughly one gallon of wood ash, he said.
Brooks, who started a mill in Vermont refining logs to pellets, said he thinks Haines could support a small mill, manufacturing up to 20,000 tons of pellets per year.
That would take about 30,000 tons of logs from the local forest, he said, and create an export industry for the town.
But Brooks has questions about power sources and costs, wood density, mill yards and more.
“I have some concerns,” he said, adding he still needs more information from locals.
Jim Carnahan, CIA administrator, said wood-pellet heat penciled out for the tribe’s housing development and that it could make sense for the community.
Two boilers fired by wood pellets are being installed by Boutin at the two four-plex buildings, and are cheaper than cordwood boilers. “It’s substantially less money,” said Carnahan.
Joe Poor of the Haines Chamber of Commerce said the group is interested in any economic opportunities for Haines.
“It’s certainly worth exploring,” Poor said. “We’re very interested in seeing what the projections are and what the cost estimates are.”
Stephanie Scott, Haines energy and sustainability coordinator, said the meeting should interest entrepreneurs, environmentalists or anyone concerned with heating oil costs.