Sealaska to Convert to Wood-Pellet Heat

Photo By Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

Sealaska Natural Resource Planner Nathan Soboleff examines the old oil-fired boilers that heat Sealaska Plaza in downtown Juneau. They’ll be replaced with a wood-pellet burner next year.

Sealaska is converting its Juneau headquarters building from oil to wood-pellet heat. The Southeast regional Native corporation says the change will save money. It also hopes to create demand for a wood-pellet industry on Prince of Wales Island.

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

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For More on Wood-Heat Efforts in Southeast Alaska:

• The Coast Guard is considering a number of biomass heating projects in Southeast.
• The U.S. Coast Guard is hoping to begin utilizing wood heat on its bases in Ketchikan, Sitka and Kodiak.
• Southeast communities and businesses are looking closer at using wood to power generators and heat buildings.
• A look at how the rising cost of modern heating is prompting more Southeast Alaskans to go back to wood.