Featured Energy Conservation Project

Ely Biomass Energy Options to be Evaluated

 

           An in-depth financial and environmental evaluation of biomass heating proposals in Ely were launched at the Ely City Council meeting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15 at City Hall. The project, which is funded by the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund in conjunction with the Legislative Citizens Commission of Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), is meant to provide residents and local officials with objective information about local biomass supplies, financial costs, environmental impacts, and assess public acceptability.

            A team from Dovetail Partners, a nonprofit forestry research organization, and the University of Minnesota Departments of Forestry Resources and Applied Economics will conduct the study. Gloria Erickson of Ely has been hired to coordinate local community outreach activities, and can be reached at 365-0878 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to provide input or request information.

            “Before deciding whether or not to pursue district heating, the City of Ely needs answers to myriad questions that the Alternative Energy Task Force (AETF) has encountered,” said Mayor Roger Skraba in a letter to the State of Minnesota earlier this year.

            The project will build upon earlier engineering studies that identified district heating and electricity production as one possible outcome. No decisions have been made, and other options could be considered depending on the outcome of the study. “An investment this important requires a thoughtful analysis, including the possibility of walking away if the numbers don’t add up,” says University of Minnesota researcher Dr. Dennis Becker, Forest Resources.

            The analysis will include an in-depth assessment of biomass supply within different transport distances from Ely, cost of procurement, and ecological impacts. Current and future estimates will be made of biomass feedstocks from harvest slash, Firewise mitigation treatments, right-of-way clearings, improved forest management, and related activities. Detailed calculations and scenarios comparing financial costs of heat and electricity from fossil fuels versus biomass will be made.

            Katie Fernholz, Dovetail Partners Director emphasized the importance of public input and transparency during the study. “In addition to more detailed information, we will put in place a broad public outreach campaign to solicit ideas and concerns about biomass and district heat and power systems for Ely,” she said. “Gloria Erickson is a valuable new member of our team to make sure this happens.”

Click here, to view and download the Ely biomass heating feasibility study presentaion that was presented at the E3 Energy Symposium.

 

 

Ely Senior Center completed first phase Weatherization Improvements

The Ely Senior Center has completed the first phase of weatherizing their building to reduce heating and cooling costs.  Below is a summary of the project that is on the New Generation Energy website  (www.newgenerationenergy.org).  New Generation Energy was the nonprofit organization in Boston that helped us in raising $12,500 toward the project.  That contact person is Bianca Strzelczyk.  The Senior Center also received a CERTS (Clean Energy Resource Teams) seed grant of $3500 and a Lake Country Power grant of $1000. The CERTS contact people are Lissa Pawlisch and Joel Haskard, CERTS Directors and Michelle Vigen, CERTS Coordinator.  

 

The work began with a donated energy audit from MN RETAP (Minnesota Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program)  and blower door and thermal imaging report  from Andy Imig Arrowhead Energy and Comfort Solutions (218) 590-9000. The air sealing, lead abatement and attic insulation was done by BPI certified (Building Performance Institute) contractor  Bill DeMars Home Efficiency Service, LLC (218)380-5863.  The final blower door test after the work was completed was performed by Andy Imig, as well.  Andy is also BPI certified.
 
Presently a group of students at the Ely school are working on cost to saving ratios and graphics showing the systems and work that was done on both Hidden Valley and the Ely Senior Center.   We will be displaying their work in the windows at the Senior  Center and at Hidden Valley Chalet. Their efforts will help illustrate the benefits of weatherizing our buildings to reduce energy costs. Jill Nocera-Swanson from Energy Efficient Ely is working with the students on this project. 

 

Energy Efficient Ely's Mission & Objectives

The mission of E3 is to encourage through example, education, and community collaboration, the efficient use of energy resources in the Ely area.  To address this mission, E3 intends to provide the following services and information:

Priorities

  • Serve as a model or example to other communities working towards energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Offer renewable energy & weatherized home and business tours.
  • Feature and recognize businesses and local homeowners who are also working towards similar goals.
  • Provide educational opportunities and assistance.
  • Offer energy audit education programs.
  • Offer community energy challenges and events for students and families.
  • Post current scientifically based articles related to local environmental and energy topics for open forums and discussion.
  • Collaborate with local businesses, home owners, residents, educational facilites and organizations, and community members to provide citizen science opportunities and service learning projects.
  • Support and maintain the community garden.

 

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