Did you know the University is considering using biomass* to generate a portion of our heat?

An increase in St. Lawrence's square footage has resulted in a need to increase the heating capacity of the University. In consideration of our commitment to climate neutrality, St. Lawrence University is investigating the possibility of incorporating a biomass boiler into our campus heating infrastructure. Although a biomass boiler has the potential to reduce net carbon emissions (when compared to a natural gas boiler) there are many other environmental and economic impacts of such a decision.

Members of the administration have begun an assessment regarding the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts resulting from the implementation of a biomass boiler. Given the potential consequences of this project, the University understands the importance of involving St. Lawrence and local community members in making our decision. On January 28th, St. Lawrence held a panel discussion on the proposed biomass boiler. This was the beginning of continued discussion on this issue. We offer you an opportunity to educate yourself on the project, ask questions, raise concerns, offer suggestions and share your opinions.

Questions generated by the audience of the biomass panel include the following:

•What species would be used to create biomass fuel? Switchgrass? Willow? Other?
•What are the effects of conversion of land toward biomass production on habitat complexity and species diversity and landscape connectivity?
•Is there a net gain in energy production by growing and preparing (pelletizing) the fuel?
•What are the impacts of the inputs necessary to grow commercially viable amounts of the crops used for biomass fuel?
•What are the drawbacks of situating the entire biomass production process on campus or near campus? Can we buy and maintain our own land and our own pelletzing plant?
•What will we do with the ash? Does it need to be returned to the forest to maintain a productive ecosystem?
•What is the cost of production of one BTU of heat from biomass and one BTU of heat from natural gas?
•What is the projected growth of St. Lawrence and how will we deal with any greater increase in heating capacity?
•What can I (students) do about heating issues?
•What are the impacts of growing genetically modified crops for energy?
•What would the impact be of industrializing the harvest of our forest lands?

The Conservation Council has also generated a list of questions.

*Biomass is defined as organic matter available on a renewable basis. Biomass as a fuel source includes forest and mill residues, agricultural crops and wastes, wood and wood wastes, animal wastes, livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, fast-growing trees and plants, and municipal and industrial wastes.