Ryan Koch, Resource Conservation & Development Council Coordinator
Pocono Northeast , Mayfield, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools & Beyond
Overview - The Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools & Beyond Working Group supports and fosters a statewide
biomass energy use initiative promoting local renewable natural resources to provide reliable energy for
Pennsylvania schools and businesses. What a progressive idea that’s actually working. This innovative program is
helping schools and businesses understand the economic, operational, and environmental benefits of biomass
systems. With environmental concerns and fuel costs mounting, many Americans are looking for ways to reduce
their dependence on fossil fuels and replace them with renewable energy sources. In Pennsylvania, renewable
energy sources include wood, wood residue and dedicated agricultural energy crops, also known as biomass.
Keywords: Bio-fuels, biomass, school energy needs, forest resources, wood residues, renewable energy
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Presenter Ryan Koch is the Resource, Conservation & Development Council Coordinator of Pocono Northeast.
The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council is a community resource providing
expertise in resource management and development throughout a ten county area of Northeastern
Pennsylvania within the national system of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
About Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools and Beyond website
About Pocono Northeast
Pennsylvania’s Fuels for Schools and Beyond - Koch
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools and Beyond was formed through the _____.
a) USDA
b) DEA
c) CIA
d) YMCA
What is the main issue in using biomass for energy?
a) Wildlife benefits
b) Availability
c) Costs
d) None of the above
Biomass…
a) Is an organic material
b) Is renewable
c) Can be used as a feedstock for energy
d) All of the above
Biomass feedstock sources include all of the following except
a) Grass
b) Plastic
c) Grains
d) None of the above
Benefits of using biomass as fuel include
a) It is renewable
b) It produces fewer emissions than fossil
c) It decreases the amount of fuel you need
d) A and B
How long is the life expectancy for a biomass system?
a)
b)
c)
d)
10-15 years
20-25 years
30-35 years
50-55 years
What year was the Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools program was started?
a)
b)
c)
d)
2003
2011
2006
2008
What is the most popular fossil fuel in PA?
a) coal
b) oil
c) biofuel
What is the main driver for using biomass as a source of energy?
a. love of nature
b. economic cost
c. locally produced
d. all of the above
Which of the following is not a biomass feedstock source?
a. Crops
b. Waste
c. Forest
d. Ocean
e. Grasses
Fossil fuels are used for meeting over ____ % of the USA’s energy demand.
a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 40%
d. 60%
e. 80%
Which of the following is a component of a biomass heating system?
a. Combustion unit
b. Heat Exchange
c. Ash handling System
d. Fuel Storage
e. All of the above
2) Which of the following describes an aspect of biomass as a fuel?
a. Large quantities of oil and gas are imported into the USA
b. Large amounts of emissions (CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, etc.)
c. High input for extracting/recovering fuels
d. Locally available
e. Non-renewable
What is the Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools and Beyond program aim?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
to support state wide biomass energy use initiative
local renewable resources to provide reliable energy to PA schools and businesses
use wood as a resource for biomass energy source
both a and b
a, b, and c
Biomass is used as energy because it is
a) renewable
b)
c)
d)
e)
locally available
higher emissions than fossil fuels
all the above
both a,b
Any organic material that can be produced on a renewable basis is called
a)
b)
c)
d)
Wood
Biomass
Fertilizer
A and C only
Biomass Feedstock Resources include:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Forest
Grasses
Crops
All of the above
The price per million BTU of a particular biomass can change based on
a)
b)
c)
d)
Efficiency of appliances
Moisture content of fuel
None of the above
A and B
Which of the following is not a working group subcommittee of the working group?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Education/outreach
Technical
Behavioral
Financial
Which of the following are advantages of using biomass as a fuel?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Renewable
Locally available
Fewer emissions than fossil fuels
Averages around 1/3 the cost of fuel oil
All of the above
Which of the following are components of a biomass heating system?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Ash handling system
Combustion unit
Heat exchange
Air pollution controls
All of the above
TRUE/FALSE
Biomass is any organic material that can be produced on a renewable basis, and can be used as feedstock for energy?
TRUE
The Pennsylvania Fuels for School and Beyond spurned out of the USDA’s Resource Conservation and Development
Program. True
Similar programs in the United States looks primarily at wood resource as an alternate fuel source while this program
looks at other resources including wood. True
The Benton school district is concern with outdoor Biomass systems (like outdoor wood burners) where these concerns
are valid and should be addressed. FALSE
Over 25 facilities have received direct assistance as a result of Pennsylvania Fuels for School and Beyond program. TRUE
Cost is the main drive for people to consider Biomass energy initiative. TRUE
True or False: Using biomass as a fuel averages 1/2 the cost of fuel oil. FALSE
Biomass is any organic material that can be produced on a renewable basis and be used as a feedstock for energy. True
Crop waste cannot be used as a source of biomass. False
Biomass energy systems produce a lot of pollution, even when installed and managed correctly. False
Pennsylvania is the first state to create a program to provide reliable sources for fuel for schools.
False
The Fuels for Schools program has a three tiered approach. True
Wood is the most common and popular form of biomass. True
True or false – There are 3 working group subcommittees. True
There are only 3 sources of funding available for those who want to use biomass fuel. FALSE
The Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program is a program that promotes local and renewable resources to
provide reliable energy for local schools and businesses. True
There are school districts that have outdoor wood burners; this is a concern as a source for energy. True
Fuel storage and fuel handling are NOT important for biomass. False
The US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Energy, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection are all major sources of funding for “Fuels for Schools and Beyond”? TRUE
ESSAY
What are the main objectives of the “working group” and what are the responsibilities of the three “working group
subcommittees”?
The main objectives of the working group are to provide overall guidance on the Fuels for Schools & Beyond Program
and promote the use local renewable energy resources as a source of biomass. There are three subcommittees:
education/outreach, technical and financial. The goals of: education/outreach are to develop media (brochures, fact
sheets, etc) on resource, sustainability, economics and case studies; technical is to provide technical guidance to endusers on pre-feasibility assessments, feedstock options and availability; financial is to indentify financing options which
include grants, loans, and dedicated funding.
Describe the distinction between Current Fossil Fuels and Biomass as Fuel focusing on the benefits and disadvantages
of either.
Biomass is a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms, such as wood,
waste, (hydrogen) gas, and alcohol fuels. Biomass is renewable, locally available and is beneficial to the environment
because it has fewer emissions than fossil fuels. In contrast, a large percentage of current fossil fuel utilized in the
United States such as oil and gas, is imported. The majority of these fuels are non renewable and it import is very costly.
Additionally, these fuels are responsible for large amounts of gas emission and have negative impact on the
environment (CO2, CO, NO). The import of fuel from abroad is very costly and a switch to the use of biomass would cut
these costs by a third.
What are some of the concerns of the Biomass energy use initiative and are they relieved and how?
One concern is that many people are uneducated or misinterpret the information regarding Biomass as an energy
source. This delays the aims and goals of the program. Since cost is a main drive for people to look into energy
conserving systems, this can be used to draw people in and thus educate them about the other aims and potential that
Biomass use has.
Shortage of resources and the local availability is another main concern. For example, the Benton School district was
interested in grass utilization but worried about running out of the source for fuel. Therefore, they looked at other
potential sources such as wood chips, grass pellets, corn, and wood pellets. The use of each of these saves about $113K,
$71K, $60K, and $57K per year, respectively. By looking at a multiple fuel system, they are about to play the market and
availability of the fuel. Although their school district is part of 85-90% agricultural community and financial savings to the
district is not as advantageous when utilizing the grass, they can use the potential savings from Biomass use right back
on the school itself and the local community, creating a closed loop system. Other concerns about get the first step
started in this program can be addressed by the various sources of funding such as the US Dept of Agriculture, Energy,
Environmental Protection, and many others
What are the benefits of using biomass as a fuel?
Using biomass as a fuel is a very beneficial concept. One of the foremost advantages of using biomass for energy is the
cost factor. Using biomass averages only 1/3 the cost of traditional fuels. Other benefits of biomass include that it is
renewable, whereas current fossil fuels are non-renewable. In addition, biomass is also locally available, and by using
something locally produced, local revenues increase. Biomass also uses fewer emissions than traditional current fossil
fuels and provides additional environmental benefits.
Describe the costs and benefits of converting to a biomass energy system.
Converting to a biomass energy system is beneficial in many ways. First and probably most importantly, the cost of fuel
has become very expensive; biomass is much more cost effective and less exploitative than using oil. Second, biomass
can be harvested locally, producing jobs and additional income for local farmers and land owners. Third, biomass is
renewable so there will be a constant supply. Converting to a biomass energy system does require an initial investment
but it is easily paid off in the short and long term. The only trouble is getting skeptics to agree that biomass is a
convenient, green way to fuel our lives.
What are some of the benefits of using biomass as a source of fuel?
It is renewable, benefits wildlife habitat, it is locally available, it costs 1/3 price of fuel oil, fewer emissions than fossil
fuels.
What are the benefits of using biomass fuel instead of fossil fuel?
ANSWER – There are several benefits of using biomass fuel instead of oil. Biomass fuel has a positive impact on the
environment; it improves water quality and animal habitats and has lower emissions than fossil fuels. In addition to this,
fuel sources are produced locally so emissions from transporting fuel are drastically cut down. Biomass energy also saves
users money in the long run and helps local economies.
Why biomass for energy? Elaborate on at least 3 reasons.
The costs & economics of using biomass are extremely beneficial. Costs efficiency is the most important point in using
biomass for energy, and can lead to school districts, businesses, & taxpayers’ saving an abundance of money. It can also
support local economies and communities. It is also a renewable resource, often locally available and is beneficial to
wildlife.
Essay Question: Why biomass for energy? Elaborate on at least 3 reasons.
The costs & economics of using biomass are extremely beneficial. Costs efficiency is the most important point in using
biomass for energy, and can lead to school districts, businesses, & taxpayers’ saving an abundance of money. It can also
support local economies and communities. It is also a renewable resource, often locally available and is beneficial to
wildlife.