If you are familiar with this part of the Rocky Mountains you have undoubtedly heard of the pine beetle that is killing trees by the millions. The pine beetle is a natural occurrence that waxes and wanes on about a three hundred year cycle. With the suppression of natural fires by humans that would normally help keep our forests in a healthy state, the beetles are more prolific than normal. The number of old and diseased trees is unusually high due to our habitation here over the last hundred and fifty years or so. So what can we do about it? Not much considering the extent of the problem. In the meantime though, all those dead trees can be put to good use. Wood products companies have recognized the beautiful yellows and blues that the wood of infected trees takes on. The cabinets, floors and siding made from beetle kill trees are striking.

A new company is starting up in Breckenridge to further utilize the waste left behind by the pine beetles. Situated on five acres north of town, Environmental Energy Partners will begin making wood pellets for wood pellet stoves from local beetle kill trees. A wood pellet stove is similar to a Franklin Stove but burns what looks like rabbit food instead of logs. I have owned a wood pellet stove and found it to be amazingly cheap and convenient to operate. The plant is projected to produce five tons of pellets per hour and would operate round the clock. If we can produce heat for our homes from a locally produced product then that benefits the entire country.