August 25, 2016   
Convert your fireplace or wood stove to a cleaner option!
Air District has millions to upgrade your fireplace or wood stove
As a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board, I'm proud to announce $3 million in new funding we are making available to help Bay Area residents replace older, more polluting fireplaces and wood-burning stoves with cleaner options. 

Residential wood burning is the leading cause of air pollution in the Bay Area during the winter. Particulate matter and toxics from wood smoke is dangerous to our health. That's why reducing wood smoke is key to improving air quality and public health in our region. 

Our new Woodsmoke Reduction Incentive Program starts this Friday, August 26!

Here are the program details:
  • $3 million in program funding will be available for individual grants in amounts ranging from $750 - $12,000.
  • The online application will be accessible on the Air District's website at www.baaqmd.gov/WoodsmokeGrant.  Applicants without internet access can have a proxy apply on their behalf or call 415-749-5195 to request a paper copy of the application.
  • To be eligible, applicants must own a property that is a residential unit located within the Air District's jurisdiction, and contains an operational wood-burning stove or fireplace used for heating.
  • 40% of the Program funding has been prioritized for Highly Impacted Residents, which includes low-income residents, residents located in areas highly-affected by wood smoke, and households whose wood-burning device is their sole source of heat.  Residents can apply for one of the following project options:
Project Options
Award Amounts
 
Replace a wood-burning stove or fireplace with an electric heat pump
$3,500  
 
Replace a wood-burning stove or fireplace with a natural gas or propane fueled device
$1,000 
 
Decommission (render inoperable) a fireplace or wood-burning stove
$750  
 
 
In addition to the above funds, "highly-impacted applicants," including those enrolled in PG&E's CARE program or an equivalent or those whose sole source of heat is a wood-burning device, can get additional funding, up to $12,000. 

The Air District has an online form that allows you to sign-up to receive future email notifications about the program.
 
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact grants@baaqmd.gov or 415-749-5195. 
Sincerely, 
John  
John Gioia
Supervisor, District One 
Contra Costa County 
11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D 
El Cerrito, CA  94530 
510-231-8686 Phone