Pollution Prevention: Advanced Boiler Tune-ups

Introduction

Air pollution is estimated to play a role in 10% of all deaths in the Twin Cities metro area.¹  This project will reduce particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in communities through reductions in fuel burning from increased boiler efficiency. Air pollution contributes to negative health effects and deaths. PM2.5 is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, asthma attacks, and acute and chronic bronchitis. NOx is a precursor of ozone which can make asthma and bronchitis worse. 

MnTAP is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), the Lake Street Council, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a pollution prevention (P2) grant to provide advanced boiler tune-ups and develop resources and training for other communities to replicate the process.

Target Audience

This project will provide advanced boiler tune-ups at no cost to facilities in Minnesota including businesses, organizations, multifamily buildings, and schools.

Target Objectives

This project will perform the following activities:

• Provide advanced boiler tune-up technical assistance to facilities to increase boiler efficiency which will save energy and reduce emissions
• Develop and share a toolkit for incorporating P2 activities within existing community programs

Contact

Recruitment for this project will begin in early 2024, if you are interested in participating please contact:

Laura Sevcik – Engineer
612-624-8192 | lsevcik@umn.edu

Funding Source and Additional Resources

Funding for this project comes from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant 84074101, and this project is a partnership between MnTAP, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, CEE, and the Lake Street Council.

For more information on CEE’s advanced boiler tune-ups, please visit their website.

[1] https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/life-and-breath-report