From the Newsroom
International UK Renewable Heat Incentive - Model for U.S. The United Kingdom is using a variety of incentives and subsidies to support the growth of renewable heating systems. They argue this reduces the import of fuels and helps fight climate change by reducing GHG emissions. For more National More Clothing Proposed to Cut Heating Costs
Kris De Decker of low-tech Magazine has proposed a unique strategy for reducing the energy costs of heating structures. The most efficient way to keep a body warm is with clothing. For more
M.D. Warns of Cardio-Dangers of Air Pollution Smoke and Other pollutants have long been tied to respiratory disease but people exposed to excessive levels of pollution should also worry about heart disease. Installing HEPA filters has been shown to reduce indoor particulate matter by 60% and wood smoke by 75%. For more State Bethesda Local Aims to Heat Home Entirely from Urban Wood Waste MD: Urban Logger Richard Hoye has been collecting waste wood removed by utility crews from his hometown of Bethesda, Maryland. Riding and adult-sized tricycle with a trailer attached to the back; he has collected three to four tons in the last month. For more
Michigan Town Considering OWB Restrictions MI: A citizen's Committee in Escanaba has forwarded a proposal that would restrict the use of outdoor wood boilers after recieving numerous complaints about air quality. The ban would stipulate fuel type, and enforce stack-height and set-back requirements. For more University of North Carolina Tests Pellet Fuel Cogeneration facility NC: UNC, which has pledged to be free of coal by 2020 and carbon neutral by 2050, has turned to wood pellets as one if its options for future energy needs. A first round of tests has been completed to test the ability of cogeneration with biomass fuel. For more NYSERDA Announces Funding for Innovative Heating NY: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has funding for the research and development of innovative heating, cooling and domestic hot water technologies for residential and commercial buildings. The expected funding is $1,400,00. The maximum project award amount if $300,000. For more Oregon Bans Phase 2 Outdoor Boilers OR: Oregon recently adopted a rule that prohibits the sale of any solid fuel burning device that is not certified for sale by the DEQ or by the EPA/ This mainly affects outdoor wood boilers and single burn rate wood stoves. These devices are no longer exempt in Oregon. Pellet stoves, masonry heaters, cook stoves, fireplaces and antique stoves continue to be exempt. This policy, similar to ones in Washington State, has the unfortunate result in also banning the cleanest indoor pellet boilers, including those that have so successfully started replacing fossil fuel boilers in Europe. For more RI Bill Seeks Summertime Ban on OWBs RI: A bill in the Rhode Island House, H5783, seeks setback limits and a ban on the use of OWBs in the summer, when residents use them mainly for hot water, leading to smolder fire because very little energy is needed from a huge firebox for summertime hot water use. For more
Green Heat Helps Needy Families Heat with Wood VT: Jim Kane, founder of Project Green heat, has made it his mission to help out military and low-income families in Vermont during the cold winter months.His organization donates wood or pellet stoves to families that cannot afford them. For more Vermont Subsidies Switch from Oil to Wood Pellets  VT: Governor Shumlin signaled his support for wood heat when he ordered the creation of a new incentive program aiming to switch households from oil to pellet heat. For more
Washington Hops to Adopt District Biomass Heating System WA: Clark County, Washington is considering switching from natural gas heating to woody biomass in a move that could save the county $175,000 a year. For more
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The EPA prepared a 386-page "external peer review draft" on mitigation options for black carbon pollution. Black carbon is fine particulate matter released by combustion of biomass