The Craig School District on Prince of Wales Island is constructing a wood-fired boiler system at Craig High School to provide 85% of its annual heating needs using local, renewable wood chips. This project addresses the high energy costs faced by the isolated community and integrates the island’s timber industry with public facility heating. The system, similar to other successful biomass projects in Craig, includes a wood chip delivery system, biomass boilers, and heat exchangers.
Despite initial challenges like an over-budget bid, the project is moving forward thanks to flexible funding from SASS (Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy) and collaboration among SEC, Denali Commission, and Craig City School District. The project was divided into subprojects managed in-house, with SASS funding now primarily for a new woodshop, which will vacate space for the boiler. This initiative is expected to save 360,000 gallons of heating oil over two decades, bolster the local timber industry, and keep heating expenditures within the community.