 Green Heat News
May 2010
Issue No: 10
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House of Representatives Passes Home Star with Strong Biomass Provisions
 By a vote of 246 to 161 the House of representatives today voted to approve the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5019), which authorizes creation of a national energy retrofit program for American homeowners. The vote marks a significant milestone in the progress of the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation, although it's important to note that the authorization bill passed today must be matched by the Senate, and followed up with an appropriation bill to allocate funds for the $6 billion program.program. For More information, Click here Vision for Heating the Northeast with Renewables
A coalition of organizations is calling for 25% of the thermal load in the northeastern US to come from renewables by 2025, with 18.5% from biomass. The coalition published the results of study that shows the availability of biomass stock and the technology to meet this aggressive target. For more information, Click here.
Senator Shaheen Introduces The American Renewable Biomass Heating Act of 2010
Senator Shaheen |
Senators Shaheen, Murkowski, Crapo, and Begich introduced bipartisan legislation to provide market incentive for biomass heating systems in commercial and industrial installations. "This supports biomass thermal with the same incentive that already exists for every other renewable energy technology," said said Charlie Niebling, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Alliance for Green Heat. To find out more about this new legislation, click here
Bill McKibben on Biomass
Bill McKibben, Author and Founder of 350.org  |
Bill McKibben, the outspoken author, activist and founder of 350.org believes "the big issue with wood biomass is scale." The small 10 mw plant that McKibben supported and which is operating at Middlebury College, where he is a scholar in residence, makes more sense because its emissions are low and the college is working on a sustainable fuel supply plan, involving planting willows on marginal farm land. "I think biomass is the classic example of scale issues," McKibben wrote. "The Middlebury plant is a good one." The value of the Middlebury plant, and the others built in recent years, is that wood biomass replaces coal, what McKibben calls "the dirtiest fuel on Earth." |
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Breaking News
DEC holds hearings on outdoor wood boilers
The Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed regulations for outdoor wood boilers and will be holding 11 public information sessions/hearings throughout the state in June. During these sessions, DEC staff will entertain questions from the public concerning the proposed rulemaking. Please click here for the schedule.
States get tough on outdoor wood boilers
With an increasing amount of people turning to wood as their primary source of heat, states are putting regulations on old, inefficient wood burning devices, such as outdoor wood boilers. For more information, click here
VT college starts biomass heating
The Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT has opened a biomass plant that provides the school with 85% of its heat and 20% of its electricity. For more information, click here
Biomass revolution: a closer look
Biomass as a heating fuel is a clean, carbon neutral and cheap alternative for fossil fuels. Nevertheless less than 2 percent of the US households use wood as their primary heating source. To find out what the reasons are, click here.
Guidebook for small scale biomass project development
In order to meet the energy goals, as set by the state of New York, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has sponsored the production of a guidebook to assist developers of biomass-power projects that produce less than 10 megawatts. For more information, click here |
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Did you know?
If pellets are shipped from from British Columbia, Canada, to Stockholm, Sweden, the total fossil fuel content is 35%, if the drying operation used natural gas, or 19% when wood residues are used in the drying process. This is one conclusion from an Italian research paper, which can be downloaded here. |
Take Action
Vote for the Alliance for Green Heat
HumanityCalls.org, a fundraising tournament website designed to bring together nonprofits, companies, and individuals focused on addressing global causes such as the environment, poverty and human rights. The Alliance for Green Heat is competing in this tournament would highly appreciate your vote at website. |
NH Breaks New Ground
At the Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass conference, a NH state official announced that the state will be giving a 30% rebate up to $6,000 for automated, bulk-fed pellet boilers systems. While common in Europe, this will be the first incentive program in America aimed at automated, bulk fed pellet boilers. New Hampshire currently gives up to $6,000 for residential wind and solar systems. A stakeholder meeting is scheduled from 10 - 4:30 on May 11 at NH Public Utility Commission, 21 S. Fruit Street, Concord to discuss the Residential Central Pellet Heating System Rebate program.
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Survey Results
Thanks to all of you who participated in the survey we conducted last month with Antioch University. The response was tremendous and we are currently processing the results that will be printed in the next newsletter. |
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Please Support Our Work!
Thanks To...
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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. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. You can make a secure donation online through PayPal by clicking the button below 
We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to all of our supporters! Your donations help us advocate for policies to help everyday Americans heat their homes sustainably and affordably.
Founders --Dr. William & Frances Ackerly, the Arbolito Foundation, Family Alliance Foundation and Woodpellets.com
Founding members--April Bodman, Ann Down, Steven R. Kaufman & JD Doliner, Nick Salafsky & Julie Segre, Nina Smith & John Ackerly, Tad Welch & Ali Schultheis and Anonymous.
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