Fuel For Schools

Scott Valley Biomass Gasifier Demonstration Project; $58,000

Fuel For Schools is a USDA-Forest Service, Federal-Private collaborative effort to protect rural communities from wildfires and economic hardship via proactive utilization of forest resources and environmentally friendly technology.

The Scott Valley Biomass Gasifier Demonstration is an ideal project targeting hazardous fuel reduction on the national forest system lands. This project demonstrates the economic viability and sustainability of the biomass gasifier system for combined heat and/or power that benefits communities and entrepreneurs.

James authored the successful Forest Service grant application that was one of only two approved in California. The $58,000 grant will complete a formal feasibility and identify Etna High School's fiscal options.

Before deploying to Iraq, James worked closely with School Board officials in planning fiscal strategies that will enable a sustainable upgrade to the school's heating system. For example, James, Siskiyou County Supervisors, and Etna school officials traveled over 1,200 miles and toured the Darby, Montana biomass facility as a Fuels for Schools demonstration.

Related Testimonies/Recommendations:

• Rennie Cleland, President, Ore-Cal Resource Conservation and Development Council
• George Wright, President Emeritus, Ore-Cal Resource Conservation and Development Council