The St. Lawrence County Grass Energy Working Group has the following goal and project: Goal: To develop a viable, local grass energy economy in the North Country that will displace fossil fuel use for space heating and hot water, increasing the local economic benefits and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Project: To investigate actual, practical examples of converting grass into a solid fuel that can be used in residential, commercial and institutional situations.

• Both wood and grass pellets have important roles in the bio-energy picture.
• Wood pellets are typically made from timber harvesting or wood products manufacturing residues.
•  Grass pellets may be made from hay that is sun-dried prior to harvest.
•  If appropriately-sized feedstock is available, both grass and wood pellets can be made in small pelleters on the farm  - or in larger, centralized facilities.  Grass is relatively easy to reduce in size prior to pelleting.
•  BTU/lb.:  Wood approx. 8,400  Grass approx. 8,000  (95% of wood)  Difference largely explained by ash content.
•  Ash content (% by weight, dry matter:  Wood pellets approx. 0.5-3%   Grass pellets approx. 3-8%)
•  Wood pellet stoves readily available, grass pellet stoves not as readily.
•  Wood has political lobby, grass does not.

(Please read on for more information on Grass Energy:)