Critics say biomass facility isn’t the way to go for Dartmouth College

August 3, 2019 |

In New Hampshire, a forum was held last week to get feedback on locations for Dartmouth College’s proposed biomass heating facility but instead, it drew critics that were vocal about the potential negative environmental impacts of the facility. Currently, the college’s heating plant uses No. 6 fossil fuel oil. Several community members and scientist college alumni said the proposed biomass plant would increase carbon emissions rather than lowering it.

The proposed biomass plant is part of the college’s $200 million green energy intiative and would transition their heating from a steam system to a hot water distribution. They chose the biomass option after considering several other alternatives like natural gas, biodiesel, solar, geothermal and others, and conducting a cost-benefit analysis for each one.

They are now in the site selection phase of the project, and have already completed a feasibility study.

Category: Fuels

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