Wood-pellet stoves help plant business thrive
From a story by Michele Derus from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 29, 2005:
Sunnyslope Gardens Inc. in New Berlin won’t be caught with its plants down this winter.
Seedlings in the nursery’s 11 greenhouses are staying hardy, thanks to six new wood-pellet furnaces that owner Steve Schutz expects will pay for themselves within four years. . . .
His timing was impeccable. Natural gas heating prices will soar 40% this winter, utilities based in Milwaukee and Madison predict. Wood pellets cost 30% less than natural gas to produce the same amount of energy. Plus, Wisconsin Focus on Energy, a public-private conservation coalition, has a campaign under way until at least June 30, 2006, which offers cash-back rebates for renewable-energy investments made by homeowners and businesses. The fuel for the furnaces is manufactured from sawdust.
