npoa
ncsd update Northstar Drive. Wood chips derived from regional fuel treatment projects would be delivered to the facility where they would be burned in a highly controlled system including state-of-the-art emission control technology. Water heated in a closed loop
system would be pumped through buried insulated pipes to the Village and NPOA rec center where it would provide thermal energy through heat exchangers on various existing boilers, significantly reducing natural gas consumption.
The stated goal of the project is to: Improve the economic
viability, environmental impact, and overall effectiveness of
removing and repurposing forest biomass in order to reduce
wildfire risk and restore forest and watershed health. This project
has the potential to meet these objectives by offsetting fossil fuel consumption, reducing operating costs, improving air quality by
NCSD Biomass District Heating Project
lowering emissions of criteria pollutants, reducing greenhouse
engaged in an effort to implement best practices for reducing
disposal of residual biomass.
Northstar Community Services District (NCSD) is actively
hazardous fuels in the surrounding watershed and for recovering and using non-merchantable woody biomass that otherwise would be pile burned, left to decay on the forest floor or
transported to distant disposal facilities at cost. Building on
the results of a feasibility study, NCSD continues planning for a biomass district heating system that would connect to the
Northstar Village and NPOA Recreation Center and offset natural gas demands associated with heating the various facilities. The project is planned to be constructed on the site of the former
NCSD administration building located behind the fire station on
gas (GHG) emissions, and eliminating the need for costly offsite
The project is contingent upon CEQA compliance, Placer County land use permitting including a Conditional Use Permit (CUP),
Placer County Air Pollution Control District permit, infrastructure
easement dedication, various HOA connected entity agreements and final NCSD Board approval to purchase capital equipment. The District will be conducting outreach to the various
community stakeholders through these planning processes. For questions/concerns related to this project, please contact
NCSD at 530.562.0747 or customerservice@northstarcsd.org
24 | Northstar Living | News Magazine of the Northstar Property Owners Association
