HARRIS, MI-- The organization “Heating the Midwest” is holding its fifth annual renewable biomass conference in Menominee County next month.
MSU Extension forester and wildlife biologist Bill Cook says heating and cooling buildings represents more than a third of Michigan’s total energy consumption. He says most of the policy in the U.S. has focused on power and transportation fuel, but the lowest-hanging fruit is using wood for heating and cooling spaces.
Cook notes wood chips are often comparable to natural gas when it comes to cost and efficiency.
“For most applications, or at least many applications, it’s competitive with natural gas. We have several examples right here in the U.P. that save money using wood chips over natural gas,” he says.
Cook says the conference is for people who are interested in heating, cooling, renewable energy, community development, and sustainable communities. A special session will also be held for those who install wood-burning systems.
The conference takes place October 11-13 at the Island Resort & Conference Center in Harris.
