Wednesday, November 4, 2009

School district gets $4M geothermal grant

Levy approval makes funds available for resource development


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County School District announced last week that it has received a $4 million matching-funds grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to pursue geothermal resource development for heating school buildings.

The grant was part of a $338 million economic stimulus package that DOE is awarding nationwide for geothermal resource development.

The announcement was made late Thursday, at a time when district patrons were deciding the fate of a $59.8 million plant facilities levy. The vote came out in favor of the district, with about 59 percent voting affirmative. Only 55 percent was needed for approval.

"Now we'll be able to utilize funds from the levy for the matching $4 million that the grant provides," school district spokeswoman Kate Heinecke said Tuesday.

The plant facilities levy authorizes the district to collect $5.9 million per year in property tax assessments for 10 years starting July 1, 2010.

About $17 million from the levy is for geothermal development and replacement of deteriorating heating systems at various district buildings.

District Business Manager Mike Chatterton could not be reached for comment Tuesday but said earlier that with the exception of Wood River Middle School, geothermal resources exist beneath all the district's schools and the district-owned Community Campus.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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