Agencies

AGH reflections on the EPA OIG report

The EPA's Office of Inspector General issued a highly critical report of the agency's stove certification process, echoing the issues laid out by a previous NESCAUM report. AGH provides a broader perspective and supports most of the report but take issues with both NESCAUM and the OIG in some instances.

A manufacterer's experience with how the EPA reacted to the NESCAUM report

An important article about how one company experienced the EPA's lack of staffing and expertise and then their attempt to improve after the 2021 NESCAUM report. The media covered both the NESCAUM and the OIG reports but this is the only piece of journalism to date that also incorporates a manufacturers experience. .  

Urge the EPA to make stove change-out funding available to marginalized communities

Stakeholders have until April 10 to provide input on the EPA’s environmental justice funding priorities. Ancient wood stoves on tribal land and in hundreds of rural, poor communities cause excessive wood smoke. Funding for environmental justice issues should include stove change out programs, to replace these obsolete stoves with new ones or heat pumps. Read AGH’s comment here and contact darian@forgreenheat.org with any questions or assistance to submit your own comment. The EPA needs to hear from you!

Billions in energy upgrades could benefit hearth retailers

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes $8.8 billion in rebates for home energy efficiency and energy upgrades. This is a historic opportunity for hearth retailers to start pivoting towards the energy future and get in on marketing products and services that are eligible for this IRA funding.  

DOE offers $50 million for Tribal energy projects

Eligible projects range from deploying community-scale wood heating to providing electric power to tribal buildings that would otherwise be unelectrified. Applications are due May 16th.

Firewood Banks

Last chance to apply for firewood bank grant

Due to several firewood banks dropping out this spring, we have enough funding for one or two more grants. To apply, contact pam@forgreenheat.org for an application. You must already have a UEI – a government issued identity ID number.

Congrats to the 46 wood banks funded during the first round of this 5-year program

The diversity of firewood banks that can be found around the country is inspiring. Take a look at our 2022-2023 grantees.

State News

House resolution calls for EPA to revise its woodstove certification program

Alaska: The Alaska House of Representatives is urging the EPA to develop a proper wood stove certification program. At issue is the state's plan to clean up the air in Fairbanks - or lose federal funding. “The EPA has provided us with a broken tool and proposed to penalize us by taking away federal highway funds,” Czarnecki said.

Job Opening: Wood Energy Specialist

Vermont: Vermont is recruiting for a Wood Energy & Forest Products Specialist to ensure robust in-state markets for forest products with an emphasis on uses of wood for energy in all its forms.

$500 to scrap your old, uncertified wood stove

Washington: Washington residents who burn at least one cord a year are eligible for a $500 payment to remove and recycle a stove, or up to $1,800 to replace an uncertified one.

International News

Local wood pellets driving GHG reductions

Canada: Ronald Lavigne, the facilities manager for 29 schools in the Anglophone North School District, reflects on how wood drastically reduce fossil fuel use and play a role in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) rating system.

A zero waste pellet factory in France

France: A specialized spruce sawmill in France uses its residues to produce high quality pellets. A 2.5 MW (8.5 MMBH) boiler plant supplies heat to the belt dryer and pellet plant with an annual output of 25 000 t. An additional 800 kW (3 MMBH) flue gas condensation unit maximizes the energy gain from the sawmill residues. Low value residues, inadequate for pellet production, are combusted in the boiler to produce the process heat. A true zero waste facility.