Biofuels gain in rural NY as energy costs soar
By Claude Haton Columbia-Greene Media
ATHENS — As costs for heating with fossil fuels continue to climb, several Greene County municipalities are either already utilizing — or exploring the possibilities of — biomass heating. The Village of Catskill and the Town of Greenville have been using conventional firewood boilers for several years for some of their heating needs, but others are looking to biomass for ease of use.
The option also shows potential for creating a new industry regionally. State government incentives such as New York State Energy Research Development Association grants, specify that all aspects of the biomass strategy be achieved within the state’s borders, including the biomass boiler construction. Governor Andrew Cuomo also recently announced new state initiatives supporting biomass heating.
The Durham Town Board recently heard an alternative heating option presentation on biomass boilers, while the Cairo-Durham Central School District is investigating adding a pellet boiler to help reduce heating costs.
C-D’s consideration was buoyed after being approved for a $250,000 grant from NYSERDA, provided it can be shown that the installation would produce a savings for the district. The entire project for the 1.7 million BTU boiler would run about $500,000.
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