September 2014
Montana Statewide Wood Energy Team Project – 2014
U.S. Forest Service Funds:
Cooperators Matching Funds:
$250,000
$291,980
Key Project Contact:
Julie Kies, Forest Products and Biomass Program Manager, Montana Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation
2705 Spurgin Road
Missoula, MT 59804
E-mail: jkies@mt.gov
Web Site: http://dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/assistance/biomass/
Project Abstract: This funding will advance the development of wood energy projects in Montana
through four major mechanisms:
1. Provide financial assistance for feasibility studies, project planning, engineering and design for
public and private facilities through a competitive grant process;
2. Support targeted communication and outreach to address social concerns, recruit energy
projects for development, and promote clean wood burning;
3. Expand the network and effectiveness of the statewide wood energy team; and
4. Support staffing capacity to coordinate Montana Department of Natural Resources &
Conservation’s (DNRC) Wood Energy Program and Montana Wood Energy Team.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Solidify a strong Statewide Wood Energy Team that implements a collaborative, strategic
approach to biomass energy development.
2. Develop wood energy projects that expand markets for woody biomass generated from forest
management projects across all ownerships..
3. Increase awareness of, and interest in, biomass as a viable energy option across a broad
spectrum of sectors and scales.
4. Improve social acceptance of wood energy.
5. Implement outreach/communication campaign to promote clean residential wood burning in
targeted air sheds.
6. Expand knowledge and skill-sharing among wood energy experts, users, and interested parties.
7. Identify and employ new financing mechanisms for projects.
8. Expand geographic cluster(s) of projects.
9. Maintain staffing capacity and momentum of DNRC’s Wood Energy Program.
Planned Outcomes:
In achieving the above stated goals and objectives, we will have developed a strong collaborative team
approach to developing wood energy projects that will result in new installations, improved social
acceptance of wood energy and increased interest in installations across a broad spectrum of sectors
and scales. In targeting both sector- and geographic-based clusters of projects, we will complete at least
two new installations of biomass thermal energy systems, and have at least one system under
construction or installed at a resort/lodging facility as a high profile demonstration by the end of 2017.
Funding provided to Montana’s Wood Energy Team will assist in leveraging and employing new
financing mechanisms for projects, expand knowledge and skill-sharing among wood energy experts,
September 2014
users, and interested parties, and maintain staffing capacity and momentum of DNRC’s Wood Energy
Program.
Core Team Members:
Julie Kies, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Brian Spangler, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Renewable Energy Program
Angela Farr, USDA Forest Service, Biomass Utilization Program
Martin Twer, Montana State University, Extension Forestry BioEnergy Program
Tyron Venn, University of Montana, College of Forestry and Conservation
Carl Little, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Todd Schaper, McKinstry Essention
Nathan Ratz, CTA Architects Engineers
Craig Hildreth, USDA Rural Development