Green Heat News
A monthly news service for everyone
interested in renewable wood & pellet heating
July 2021
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Featured Stories
Tom Morrissey released part 2 of his review on June 15 and three days later, NESCAUM released their rebuttal to Morrissey's initial review. NESCAUM appears to be standing behind its entire report and did not find any merit in Morrissey's critique. On page 21, NESCAUM also addressed editorial comments in AGH's blog. AGH agrees with a substantial amount of the content in both the NESCAUM report and Morrissey's rejoinders and believe it's important for EPA officials, states and experts to consider both.
The Wood Energy Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of the comprehensive design, financing and project management program at the Maryland Clean Energy Center that accelerates the adoption of modern wood energy systems in all jurisdictions of Maryland.
This presentation to Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on June 3, 2021 covers topics like the EPA Certification Process, the DEC Certification Report Review findings, and DEC and FNSB Actions to address concerns. The presentation also hints at future options they are considering.
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EPA: The EPA finalized their own list of deficiencies following a similar list developed by the state of Alaska. The EPA is also going through certification paperwork and asking manufacturers and labs for additional, required information that was not in the original report.
EPA: The EPA just posted the NYSERDA IDC testing protocol. They say: "We have now docketed the TEOM SOP, and IDC Stove Operating and Fueling protocols, along with their associated spreadsheets (fueling calculator for IDC, data processing for TEOM). These files are static for the duration of our sample collection efforts that have now begun in Portland, OR."
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On May 14, Kuster (D-NH), Kelly (R-PA), Welch (D-VT) and Pingree (D-ME) reintroduced the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2021 in the House. The Senate introduced its version of the BTU Act in April. The residential portion of the BTU Act is already law, but the act extends a tax credit to commercial and institutional wood heat systems. The effort is being led mainly by INRS, supported by BTEC.
Senators Feinstein (D-Calif.), Collins (R-Maine), Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Kelly (D-Ariz.) today introduced the Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act, a bipartisan bill that would make it easier to develop sustainable wood products and energy from biomass made from small-diameter timber left over from forest thinning projects, including projects that reduce the risk of wildfire.
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Myren Consulting and the Alliance for Great Heat, along with Stonybrook University and German experts from the German Biomass Research Institue are seeking to build an open-source wood stove that can help any manufacturer adopt the innovative approaches used by this stove. In the spirit of the open source nature of this initiative, we are publishing our grant application and associated documents.,
Last month, we sent out a survey to get to know our readers better and improve our services as a non-profit. 290 people responded. Visit our blog to read a discussion of the survey results and how we can improve our organization. Also, congratulations to Mr. Ken Hansen of Washington State who won the Biolite basecamp stove drawing, and thank you to everyone who responded to our survey!
Continuing Research on Energy Audits
AGH is continuing to research how wood stoves are inspected in energy audits, and have been working closely with officials at the Department of Energy about our concerns. Energy audits are one of the prime ways that wood stoves can get change-out, repaired or removed. If you are an energy auditor or have received an energy audit. recently, we would love to talk to you. Please email caroline@forgreenheat.org or jackerly@forgreenheat.org to contribute to our research and help auditors better integrate wood stoves into their work.
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A new analysis by BTEC and Life Cycle Associates is important for anyone interested in the life cycle of carbon in biomass. It discusses all the variables that need to be considered, including the end use. No matter which kind of Life Cycle Analysis you consider legitimate, this report fleshes out the data and inputs needed for a good one.
Renewable heat at the industrial scale just got a big boost - and endorsement. They include some thermal biomass players but mostly actors focused on broader solutions. It was a matter of time before the US renewable energy community realized that we have to address thermal policy, not just our electric grid.
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This chart shows firewood is the second-most common way to dispose of urban tree removals. Mulching is by far the first. Yet, many people still can't get away from thinking all firewood is from living trees, where carbon implications are very different.
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COVID-19 Stove Relief Fund |
The Stove Repair Relief Fund helps families impacted by COVID-19. Air quality agencies, change-out programs and low-income winterization programs can link to this fund to help their clients and residents. It provides up to a 50% reduction in the price of pellet stove parts for orders up to $500. Dozens of families can now keep their pellet stoves running safely.
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State News
Maryland: Maryland has been awarded nearly $250,000 for a Wood Innovations Grant from the USDA to develop priority projects with the Maryland Wood Energy Team. This partnership aims to develop wood energy facilities that will produce new jobs and develop renewable energy markets for underutilized forest products, which will in turn benefit the health of Maryland’s sustainable forests.
New Hampshire: "It's frustrating that people often don't distinguish between wood for electricity and wood for heat," says Scott Nichols, owner of Tarm Biomass. Using wood for heat, only 25 percent of the energy value is wasted, compared to 70 to 75 percent with a biomass power plant. "A lot of NGOs have basically thrown us all into the same basket and really created questions for consumers about whether what I do is OK technology or if I'm like Darth Vader out there trying to destroy the world," Nichols said.
New York: SUNY Cobleskill’s rotary gasifier is moving into a new development phase with award funding through a National Science Foundation Small Business Technology Transfer grant totaling $255,879. The award was given for the continued development and commercialization of the inclined rotary gasifier technology that turns waste streams into biofuels, biopower, and soil supplements.
New York: Bread Alone has always been an industry leader, using local, organic grain long before it was trendy. Unlike most commercial kitchens that use gas or propane, they don't run gas lines at the Boiceville location. Instead, they use a mix of solar-powered electricity and original Andre Lefort wood-fired ovens.
International News
Australia: "Because of COVID no one was cutting, so you've got a gap year of no wood on the ground" said Alice Springs firewood provider Mark Probes. According to him, it was possible to send firewood to Alice Springs, but at a heavy price. "I'd have to get my price up by probably 30 per cent … [but] all I'd get is rubbish on social media saying 'what a rip-off'."
Sweden: Opponents of wood heat often miss the point: its true that using wood for home construction and the residuals for heat reduces carbon stock in the forest. But the reason it makes sense is because the alternatives – building structures with concrete and steel, and using fossil fuel for heat – is far, far worse.
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Follow us on Instagram @for.greenheat for wood and pellet stove information, interior design inspiration, and easily digestible wood stove news and education! |
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July - September, 2021
The webinar series facilitates the design of policies promoting the adoption of clean household energy. It will feature sessions on standards, data for decision making, interventions, and cross-cutting themes such as climate change and gender.
Plainfield, Indiana, July 19-24, 2021
This six-day course combines classroom training at the CSIA Technology Center with real-world experience in the field.
Plainfield, Indiana, August 18-20, 2021
Technical training, business training, fellowship, fun, and fulfillment, all with CSIA CEUs.
Verona, Italy, February 23-26, 2022
World trade show of biomass heating systems.
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Thank you to everyone who donated to AGH during 2020! Your support makes a huge difference and is very appreciated. The Alliance for Green Heat is an independent non-profit organization working to promote cleaner and more efficient biomass heating. Please consider making a generous contribution. The Alliance is a tax exempt 501 (c)(3) organization.
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