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Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, advocates for solar, wind and biomass are jockeying to be part of the deal that President Obama is making with Republican leaders. Our goal is preserve the federal $1,500 tax credit so that ordinary Americans can more easily afford to efficiently heat their home with wood and pellets. It appears that this tax credit will be extended and will not expire.
Thanks to the growing number of you who read this monthly newsletter and give us feedback. We wish everyone safe, warm and happy holidays.
Sincerely,
The Team at Green Heat - John, Tatiana, Keith & Murali
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Alliance for Green Heat Projects & Activities
Alliance Announces Drawing Winners
The Alliance for Green Heat ran a fundraiser this fall that brought in $6,863 as well as many interesting and valuable offers of support. As promised, there were very good odds in this drawing: we had 230 people enter and 376 outstanding tickets. Thanks again to the companies who donated the prizes: Quadrafire, Jotul, Blaze King, Earth's Flame and Woodpellets.com, and to all of you who donated. We also hope you will participate again next year . Click here to see who won!
Free Pellet Stove Repair for Low-income Families in New England
Scott Williamson, who owns Pelletstoveservice.com is offering to repair pellet stoves of low-income families and individuals this winter free of charge. To be eligible, the person must either be currently approved for state heating assistance or some other low-income program and live within his southern New England service area. The Alliance for Green Heat is urging hearth dealers and pellet dealers to help identify low-income families for this generous offer. For More
Alliance Receives Grant to Form Community Wood Heat Coalition
The Alliance for Green Heat was awarded a grant from the Takoma Foundation to develop a model for a local community wood heat coalition. Using the town of Takoma Park with a population 19,000, where the Alliance is based, a group of stakeholders will develop recommendations for the City Council, do a survey of residents about attitudes toward wood heat and conduct a community education campaign. Goals include reducing wood smoke, improving burning practices, utilizing urban waste wood, and new town ordinances related to storage and combustion of wood, installation of stoves, etc...
Groups Urge USDA to Include Heat in National Biofuels Strategy
On November 17, NEBTWG Steering Committee Members Charlie Niebling and John Ackerly hand delivered the working group's sign-on letter to Robert Bonnie, Special Adviser on Energy to USDA Secretary Vilsack. Signed by more than 180 individuals, organizations, and businesses, the letter urges USDA to recognize the use of biomass heating fuels in reducing reliance on foreign oil within its "National Biofuels Strategy." For More
Wood Heat Poster Raises Funds for Charity
The best photographs from "Show Us Your Woodpile" contest are in a poster! The Alliance teamed up with Tarm USA who ran the contest and produced the gorgeous 20 x 24 poster. It's available for $10.00 plus $3.00 for postage. All sale proceeds are donated to the non-profit group Silent Heat, which distributes cord wood to families who can't afford to heat their homes. To purchase a poster and help a family in need, Click Here
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Washington Watch
Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol Subsidies
"It is not a good policy to have these massive subsidies for first-generation ethanol," said one time Ethanol proponent Al Gore. He cited the high cost to taxpayers and negligible benefits to the environments as reasons for the about face. For More
EPA Admits Boiler Rules Were too Strict
Citing opposition from business leaders and lawmakers, EPA air chief Gina McCarthy has announced plans to scale back proposed boiler regulations now that the pubic comment period has ended. The proposed rules were seen as prohibitively expensive and thus unlikely to be achieved. For More
States Open LIHEAP; Utility Disconnect Moratoria in Effect in Many States
The LIHEAP application process has opened in states across the country and many have also started moratoria on utility disconnects. The moratoria prevents costumers from being disconnected due to inability to pay bills and reconnects costumers who have already lost service between now and the early spring, exact details differ by state. For More
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From the Newsroom
National EPA Acknowledges Potential of Biomass to Slow Climate Change
"On Nov. 10, the U.S. EPA issued guidance for developing best available control technologies (BACT) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at industrial facilities. The announcement was welcomed by biomass proponents who say it confirms that biomass has a role in limiting the impacts of climate change." For More
Hybrid Gas/Wood Fireplace Hits Stores
In October a new and innovative product aimed at reducing harmful fireplace pollution was shipped to retailers. The designers at Earth's Flame decided to forgo removing pollution from the fire and have instead taken aim at the source of the pollutions itself, a poorly burning fire. To read more scroll down to the fireplace section.
District Heating: an American Energy RevolutionA new report, "Renaissance of District Heating in the US" details the history and possible future of district heating in the US. Although often seen as inefficient, modern district heating systems powered by biomass fuels can help us break our addiction to fossil fuels in a relatively low-cost, environmentally friendly way. For More
Jessica Simpson Rides Woodstove Float in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?! Celebrity Jessica Simpson inadvertently joined the biomass movement this Thanksgiving as she hitched a ride on a giant wood cook stove float in the Macy's annual parade. Jessica is known for her advocacy of education and health causes, specifically championing free reconstructive surgery for children in developing countries. Could she become the new face of wood heat users?
StatesCalifornians Jealous of Oregon Change-out Funds
CA: "Clean air officials in Northern California were startled earlier this year to learn that a county just 200 miles north in Oregon has landed $900,000 in federal stimulus money so that residents can trade in their old, smoky wood-burning stoves for cleaner models. But no such stimulus money is flowing to anywhere in California suffering from wintertime air pollution from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, which is odd considering the recent spell of cold weather." For More
Boulder Jail to Keep Inmates Warm with Wood
CO: Boulder County is in the process of building a biomass boiler to heat the facilities at one of its jails. Set to be completed and operational this winter, it will become the second municipal building in the county to use biomass for thermal heating. Fuel will be provided from county land that has been thinned for fire prevention. For More
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Woodstove Ban Lifted in Colorado Town
CO: Silverthorne Colorado has developed an interesting approach to safely regulating wood burning appliances. Completely banned since the mid-1990's, the town has allowed the installation of a new class of devices, starting with masonry stoves, every year since 2008. Pellet Stoves were reintroduced last year and woodstoves are being considered by the town council this year. For More
Another Town Bans Outdoor Furnaces
CT: The town council of Avon has voted unanimously to ban outdoor wood-burning furnaces in a preemptive measure designed to avoid "a significant public nuisance." Of particular concern was that "the furnaces emit excessive smoke with unhealthy amounts of toxic pollutants." For More
Maine Conversion Project Gets ARRA Funds
ME: "Four biomass conversion projects in Maine's Aroostook County have received a total of $3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, contributing significantly to renewable goals set for the northern part of the state." For MoreSchool Turns Down Stimulus Funds for Pellet Boiler ME:" A school northeast of Bangor is turning its back on a $300,000 renewable energy grant--courtesy of the federal stimulus. Lee Academy planned to use the money to install a wood-pellet boiler. But school administrators say that tougher proposed federal emissions standards for biofuels would made the green energy project too costly." For More
New Jersey Residents Can Cut Firewood and Their Heating Costs in State Forest
NJ: Homeowners looking to slash their winter heating bills can save hundreds of dollars for a $20 permit fee and hours of sweat equity. The Homeowner Firewood Program opens up state lands to people interested in cutting wood for personal use. New Jersey residents can cut firewood at any one of the state's seven participating parks for $20 a cord, while supplies in the designated cutting areas last. For More
Pennsylvania Funds Four Woody Biomass Projects
PA: Investments in the Keystone state aimed lowering energy costs and promoting clean energy has lead to a number of biomass projects including a biomass gasification plant in Providence Township, a biomass processing facility in Allentown and an alternative fuel biomass burner at the International Conservation Center in Allegheny Township. For MoreWildlife Refuge Seeks Input on Cutting Firewood
WI: Officials at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge are seeking public input while revising their firewood cutting policy. Allowing the public access to firewood is beneficial in that it both enhances the habitat of the park and provides an alternative winter heating fuel. For More
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Upcoming Conferences
Fueling American Industry with Recycled Energy: Good Jobs, Green Jobs Workshop Session IFebruary 9th, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This panel will explore state and federal policy, opportunities for advancement and barriers to combined heat and power, or recycled energy which according to the Pal Rodge National Laboratory can provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030- on par with wind. For More3rd Annual Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass Conference & Vendor Fair April 14 - 15, Manchester, NH With today's advanced technology and bulk delivery capability, biomass is poised to provide a much larger share of the Northeast's heat. This conference brings together industry, non-profits, government agencies and others for region-wide networking, information exchange, and the opportunity to educate and explore the potential for real expansion of the biomass heating to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. For MoreHeating the Northeast Open Call for Abstracts "Real Questions, Real Answers" The conference is seeking abstracts and/or presentation proposals for a "Best in Class" nomination. Sessions will not be separated by tracks so anything that goes along with the theme would be great. Please submit all abstracts by January 7th, 2011. For More
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Current Wood Heat Incentive Programs
Wood Stove Change Out Program:
North Coast Unified, Air Quality Management District, CA
Click Here
Residential Bulk-Fed Pellet Boilers Rebate Program:
New Hampshire
Click Here
Wood Stove Change out Program:
Dane County, WI
Click Here
"Burn Cleaner" Wood Stove Change-Out program
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, CA
Click Here
Central Boiler Trade-out Program
National
Click Here
An Alliance for Green Heat study of study of these and other incentive programs is funded in part by the Forest Service's Wood Education Resource Center:
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Did You Know?
The true pioneers of district heating are the Americans, not Europeans. The first modern district heating system was in Annapolis Maryland in 1853. The oldest continuously operating system in is Denver, started in 1880. New York city started in 1882. |
Quote of the Month
"Wood is the magic word spurring on development of new biomass district heating networks in the United States."
-Jorn Iken, Sun & Wind Energy Magazine, Germany.
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Research Fellowship
The Alliance has an opening for a Research Fellow. This Fellowship will provide an excellent opportunity to promote renewable energy and delve into policy research. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Come join a small team of advocates who believe in the clean and efficient use of biomass for heating homes and businesses.
For more information: http://www.forgreenheat.org/about/employment.html
Or email Tatiana at:tatiana@forgreenheat.org
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Office Equipment Needed
Have a scanner or computer that is still relatively up- to-date and in good working order that you don't need? Donate it to the Alliance for Green Heat and get a tax write-off. Contact: Tatiana@forgreenheat.org
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Join Our Mailing List!
And stay up to date with all things wood heat. To sign up, click here |
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