Biomass will be in operation this fall (cont.):

This is not new technology. Messersmith has a reputation for providing one of the most reliable biomass heating systems available. Vermont currently has 36 schools that are heated with biomass, some of which have been in operation for over 25 years. Statistics show that, on average, these schools are saving as much as 59% on heating their schools.

Currently, Winnisquam has contracted with a local supplier of wood chips at a price of $55 per ton. This would be equivalent to purchasing fuel oil at eighty-nine cents per gallon! By burning wood chips the school district is supporting jobs for local workers in New Hampshire's timber, trucking, and construction industries. By switching from fuel oil to wood, we keep energy dollars in our community, which will have a multiplier effect on our local economy, as opposed to using fuel oil and sending our money to foreign (sometimes hostile) countries, and increasing our trade deficit.

Historically, wood chips are not only much less expensive than fuel oil, but wood chip prices are also much less volatile. Installing the wood chip burning biomass plant at the High/Middle school, is a major component of the 23% energy cost savings the Honeywell project has guaranteed through a Performance Contract. The biomass plant is providing the greatest savings, and by doing so, allowed the school district to implement many more energy conservation measures than would otherwise be possible through this self-funding project.

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