NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.
Notice of Substantial Completion—Biomass Heating Project
The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Indian Energy is pleased to announce that the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has substantially completed a new biomass district heating system for its Brookston Community Center, with the potential for future expansion to heat nearby homes.
The system utilizes wood chips, a byproduct of local timber processing, and is projected to save approximately $31,000 annually, improving energy affordability. The Tribe held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 12, 2025 to celebrate the project, which was funded in part by a grant from the Office of Indian Energy.
Project Overview
| Tribe/Awardee: | Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa |
|---|---|
| Location: | Cloquet, Minnesota |
| Project Title: | Brookston Community Center Biomass Heating System |
| DOE Grant Number: | DE-IE0000191 |
| Projected Impacts: | Energy Affordability: $31,000 saved per year Energy Addition: 3 MMBtu/hr added heating capacity |
| Project Amounts: | DOE Office of Indian Energy: $2,492,216 Awardee Cost-Share: $625,838 Total: $3,118,054 |
| Project Period of Performance: | Start: August 2024 End: July 2027 |
Project Description
Drawing on its prior experience with biomass heating systems, the Fond du Lac Band took a leading role in the design and contracting of the facility, integrating innovative technologies to maximize system reliability. Previously, the Band completed a similar system at its Sawyer Community Center and implemented communitywide energy efficiency upgrades, resulting in more than $1 million in annual savings. For the Brookston project, the Band selected commercially proven technology made in the United States, which complements an existing backup propane generator to ensure energy reliability during power outages. The Band is monitoring and verifying project performance and cost savings and will share the data with DOE and other stakeholders.
About the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
The Fond du Lac Reservation lies in northeastern Minnesota adjacent to the City of Cloquet, approximately 25 miles southwest of the City of Duluth. The Treaty of 1854 between the U.S. government and the Lake Superior Bands of Chippewa established the Fond du Lac Reservation, which comprises more than 101,000 acres. There are 4,000 enrolled Band members and 2,000 employees who work for the Band.