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AGH Projects & Activities
Who checks with Better Business Bureau before buying a stove? Apparently, lots of people still do. US Stove, HHT and Central Boiler had the most complaints. But 2 of the 3 still get an A+ rating. In 2013, US Stove got a F rating. But only 3 stoves are BBB accredited.
A 2016 study by the DOE found significant benefits of high efficiency HEPA air filters to reduce particulate matter (PM) from wood smoke in homes. The study also said replacing an old stove with a new, certified one can improve indoor air quality up to 53% in most homes.
 We just updated this blog with a newer map showing total amount of wood smoke (PM 2.5) from residential sources per county as of 2011. Before, the blog just showed PM 2.5 on a per capita basis in 2008, which made it appear the worst smoke levels were in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We look forward to the 2014 data soon.
AGH at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
AGH President John Ackerly attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to advocate for advanced residential biomass heat and network with attendees. There were many panels and sessions on climate change and renewable energy and conference organizers promoted the message that the
4th industrial revolution
would be powered by renewable energy. More than 2,500 world leaders attend ed the forum.
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Focus on NSPS
Rep. Collin Peterson, a climate change sceptic, introduced a bill to delay the EPA's wood stove rules by 3 years. The mainstream wood heater industry is lobbying heavily for it, but non-HBPA companies are divided in their support. Some have already invested the resources to meet the 2020 standards. The Alliance for Green Heat recognizes many pros and cons in this bill but has decided not to support it and interrupt the important R&D and innovation that is getting stoves cleaner, more efficient and more consumer friendly.
In response to widespread non-compliance of several transparency and record-keeping requirements, the EPA took the unusual step of issuing a letter to all stove and boiler manufacturers.
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Washington Watch
The $300 federal tax credit for wood and pellet stoves expired on Dec. 31, 2016 after a seven year run. The ability of the Trump Administration and new Republican controlled Congress to reinstate or expand the tax credit will be one litmus test for the wood and pellet heating community.
An expert on pellet markets sees as opportunity to co-fire coal and pellets in the US. (The Alliance for Green Heat advocates for policies that support biomass for heating and combined heat and power.)
Trump administration officials appear to have walked back plans to scrub climate change references from US EPA's website. That new directive comes after staff were told yesterday to remove the agency's climate change page from its website.
Acting EPA Administrator Catherine McCabe sent this message to EPA employees describing who is on the EPA transition team and details on their backgrounds. Several are from Washington State.
EPA's first week under Trump
The Trump administration is considering reducing the EPA budget and workforce, ordering a freeze on some grants and contracts, and stopped press releases, blog, and social media updates. The wood heater group is a tiny part of the EPA, but all of this may have significant impacts on the EPA to work with stakeholders and fairly administer wood heater provisions, many of which industry needs to operate efficiently.
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Featured Report
This is a must read for anyone interested in wood heat policy. It gives a more European perspective on wood and pellet heating and what they see as positive trends in the US.
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Featured Video
An educational wood heat video from the United Nations designed for Eastern Europe. This one is translated into English and main focus is on cooking stoves that also heat the home.
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International
Germany: Do we need to be concerned already that we are at "peak wood"? A closer look at the details in the article provide a view of what some would call a triifecta of environmental, economic, and feasibility success.
United Kingdom: London has been put on "very high" alert as cold and still weather, traffic, and a peak in the use of wood-burning stoves combined to send air pollution soaring in swaths of the UK.
United Kingdom:
In response to the London smog alert, the Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF) is calling on the UK government to abolish all support for diesel engines and wood-burners which are posing a growing threat to the health of urban populations.
CA: There were 25 permissive burn days for open burning in December, which led to 13 days when particulate levels exceeded national air quality standards.
DC:
The Washington Post carries a lifestyle feature story on cooking with wood stoves, and the transition from fireplaces to electric ovens and back again.
ME:
"With the cost of fuel oil being where it is, we're finding that people are using pellets to supplement their heat, and using it at night for the ambiance more than a primary heat source."
ME: The stack of wood piled near the wood stove had ignited, catching the floor and then the rest of the house on fire.
ME:
Dutch Dresser has been a strategic leader in the pellet heating community and his persistence and ingenuity are still needed.
MT:
During poor air quality all wood burning stoves is prohibited. Violating these regulations could cost you between $100 and $500.
NH: Heating with wood-pellet boilers "was a really new concept here in New Hampshire", but the cost incentives -- including generous state rebates in the Twin States -- have encouraged people to take a serious look at the idea.
NH:
The Berlin Housing Authority installed the boiler to switch from heating oil to locally sourced wood fuels, thereby reducing heating costs and using a renewable, low carbon fuel alternative.
ND:
Officials worry a recent influx of firewood for group demonstrating against pipeline could speed the introduction of emerald ash borer, an invasive species transported in firewood.
OR:
By early December, the Washington County, Oregon wood stove changeout program received more than 200 applications for grants.
WI:
A graph from a University of Wisconsin Extension, reportedly based on EPA data, shows new wood stove can provide heat with less pollution than electricity.
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Misleading Advertisement of the Month
 Beware of official-looking yellow hangtags on stoves on showroom floors in specialty retailers and big box stores. They are not sanctioned by any official body, but are simply printed by certain manufacturers and mislead consumers about efficiency and heat output. They purport to show "optimum efficiency" instead of the required third party tested, average efficiency. They also purport to show "Maximum Heat Output" which are far above what homeowners wil get. AGH saw these yellow hang-tags on models made by SBI and Englander.
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Upcoming Conferences
Washington, DC, February 14, 2017
The training will be interactive and - dare we say it - fun, teaching best practices for presenting your message to policymakers.
February 22, 2017, 1:30pm EST
Join this webinar to learn about energy efficiency for low-income single family homes on underutilized technologies.
Wels, Austria, March 1-2, 2017
This is the largest annual pellet heating event in the world.
Atlanta, GA, March 1-4, 2017
HPBExpo attracts thousands of distributors and retailers that "live and breathe the indoor-outdoor lifestyle."
Louisville, KY, March 15-18, 2017
The NCSG National Convention features the nation's largest trade show focused on the chimney and hearth industry.
Nashville, TN, March 19-22, 2017
Join over 1,000 residential energy efficiency professionals for four days of outstanding educational sessions, networking, and inspiration.
Minneapolis, MN, April 10, 2017
Heating the Midwest is a network of thermal biomass advocates working to increase awareness and usage of biomass for heat.
Ketchikan, AK, April 11 - 12, 2017
The fourth annual Alaska wood energy conference, supporting Alaska's growing reliance on modern wood heating.
Minneapolis, MN, April 10-12, 2017
This dynamic event unites industry professionals from all sectors of the world's interconnected biomass utilization industries.
Burlington, VT, April 25-27, 2017
Speakers, panel discussion, tours, the expo and more make this the premier thermal biomass event for industry, government, researchers and non-profit stakeholders.
Save the Date: National Firewood Workshop
Statesville, NC, April 27, 2017
The National Firewood Workshop will be held in Statesville next year. AGH presents on firewood policies at this annual conference.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 26-28, 2017
This conference is for those whose mission is to strengthen the energy safety net of the people they serve.
University Park, PA, September 12-14, 2017
Hosted by the PA Biomass Energy Association.
Denver, CO, October 5-15, 2017
Fourteen college teams will compete in the DOE competition.
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