Kalispell firm gets 'woody biomass' grant
The John Jump Trucking Co. of Kalispell and a Missoula business are among 26 businesses and community groups nationwide to receive "woody biomass" grants from the U.S. Forest Service.
John Jump Trucking is getting a $249,000 grant to organize, equip and implement a woody biomass collection and transfer system in Northwest and Western Montana.
"We plan to create an economic alternative to both burning and current mechanical methods of handling slash on forested lands," said co-owner and manager Kevin Jump.
Woody biomass is waste-wood material - typically derived from logging operations, including tree tops, branches or sawmill residues - that can be used as fuel.
Jump has had a biomass operation since June. The grant, he says, will allow for a more sophisticated and mobile operation that will facilitate more-efficient biomass processing in remote areas accessible only by rough forest roads.
Jump said his main customer is Stone Container in Missoula, which has a co-generation plant that produces steam and electricity. He also expects to be bidding on contracts to provide fuels for the biomass heating system at Glacier High School. Other potential destinations would be a similar system at the Troy Elementary School, and the town of Troy is exploring the potential for a co-generation plant to provide electricity for the town itself.
Jump also is grinding biomass for use as ground cover, landscaping and erosion-control products.
Ultimately, Jump also wants to process urban wood waste, including trimmings, pallets and clean construction debris.
"It's going to expand our operation," Jump said of the grant. "We will ultimately be putting on more work force once we go to that type of operation."
John Jump Trucking has been in operation for 50 years, historically focused on log loading and hauling and equipment hauling. The company employs 25 people.
In Missoula, North Slope Sustainable Wood got a $250,000 grant to market wood flooring made from larch and Douglas fir trees of 8-inches or less in diameter.
Nationwide, the Forest Service is distributing 26 grants totaling $6.2 million, all aimed at developing innovative uses for woody biomass.
Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com