MISSOULA –

The University of Montana has completed an environmental analysis of the proposed Biomass Steam Plant to be constructed on the Missoula campus. This detailed analysis was required by the Montana University System Board of Regents as a requirement before construction of the plant could commence.

UM President Royce Engstrom, the approving official for the EA, has concluded that the proposed biomass fueled steam plant “does not significantly affect the human environment.” Engstrom gave final approval to the 284-page EA on Oct. 4.

The full analysis is online at http://umt.edu/biomassplant.

Approval of the environmental analysis completes the two pre-construction conditions required by the Board of Regents at their May meeting. These conditions were the issuance of an Air Quality Permit by the Missoula City-County Health Department and the completion of an EA as outlined in the Montana Environmental Policy Act.

For additional information call Tom Javins, UM associate director of engineering and utilities, at 406-243-2127.

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Local, Western Montana

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