Energy savings at Deep Portage are discussed

BACKUS - Dale Yerger, director of Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, told the Cass County Board Tuesday the learning center saved $15,000 in heating costs by switching from propane heat to a new wood gasification heating system this winter.

Based on that success, the county board authorized Yerger to apply for $212,000 Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and a $300,000 U.S. Department of Energy grants to expand energy-saving projects at Deep Portage. The county would act as fiscal agent for the grants.

Deep Portage Foundation would reimburse the county any lost income on investments if the county has to provide temporary funding for any of the projects until approved grants are received from the state and federal governments.

If successful in obtaining the grants, Yerger said a gasification heating system also would be installed at the reserve's interpretive center. More energy-efficient windows, doors and lights and a 900-gallon solar water heater will be installed.

The grants also would cover the cost for an electric wind power generation demonstration site at Deep Portage.

Yerger said he expects to hear by June 1 whether Deep Portage's applications are successful. If approved, construction would begin this summer, with completion expected in the fall.

Cass County owns the Deep Portage facilities and land. Deep Portage Foundation operates the educational programs at the center.