Sisters now accepting biomass materials

In 2007, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods purchased a biomass boiler to use for steam heat for its close to 550,000-square feet of space.

The boiler was in use in 2008. It was purchased to replace two older boilers that were no longer working efficiently.

Throughout the six years the boiler has been used, biomass materials have been dropped off by residents and put to use.

However, in August, Director of Facilities Management Brad Bowen said the department sent out a request to people urging them to not drop off materials due to a malfunction with a chipper.

The chipper is now functioning properly, but Bowen said the Sisters have approximately enough materials for one month.

Both Bowen and Facilities Management Executive associate Sister Rose Ann Eaton recently said the department has made the decision to begin accepting more material for the boiler.

Bowen and Sister Rose Ann said they would accept any type of tree trimmings, brush, yard debris and tree trunks. Bowen added Christmas Trees would also be accepted. They said they cannot accept any type of construction materials, skids, trash or tree stumps.

Materials are ground down into mulch, which feeds into a steam boiler. The steam then generates heat for the campus.

Environmentally, the usage of sustainable biomass materials greatly diminishes the need for oil or natural gas.

Drop-off hours are 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The biomass site is on U.S. 150 between St. Mary's Road and the north entrance to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Read More: Biomass Boilers