Libby, Montana schools take first look at wood-fueled heating system

With oil and gas prices on the rise, Libby Public Schools officials are looking into replacing their diesel heaters with wood-burning boilers.

Superintendent Ron Goodman said during a May 3 school board meeting that he was in favor of conducting an initial study into the switch with the Montana Department of Natural Resources. Nate Gassmann, U.S. Forest Service Libby district ranger, told school board members that this “pre-pre-feasibility” assessment would allow the district to gauge if it was worth getting in touch with an engineering firm for further analysis.