September 2011
Green Heat NewsAGH logo
Issue No. 26
In This Issue
From the Newsroom

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Introducing...
Our newest Research Fellow, Melissa Bollman. Melissa recently graduated summa cum laude from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, where she received a degree in Environmental Policy/Science. She has conducted research on Costa Rica's Payments for Environmental Services program, which provides monetary compensation to landowners who adopt sustainable forest management practices.        
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Alliance for Green Heat Projects & Activities

 

New Developments in European Stove Technology 

European wood and pellet stoves are making technological advances, offering more options for consumers. From heating water, to syncing with heat pumps and solar thermal systems, to using ducts to heat adjacent rooms, there is clearly a renaissance of development in both wood and pellet stoves. For more 

 

The Alliance Speaks Out

Alliance staff takes the green heat message to three venues in October: the Northeat Biomass Conference and Trade Show in Pittsburg (Oct. 12), the Maryland Renewable Energy Summit in Baltimore (Oct. 29) and the Bethesda Green Energy for Home Exhibition (Oct. 22). We hope to see some of you there!

 

Hydronic Heater Ads Misleading Consumers  

Through the hydronic heater Phase 2 Partnership Agreement, outdoor boilers were testing at up to 99% efficiency. The Alliance for Green Heat calls on the EPA to disassociate the Phase 2 program from the now discredited efficiency numbers that are still being used by some manufacturers. For more
 
Coalition Strives to Increase Information on Biomass
The Alliance is part of a coalition of groups urging the Energy Information Administration (EIA), an independent agency with the DOE, to better include thermal biomass in their materials. The coalition is also working with the Congressional Research Service to begin including wood heat information in their annual Winter Fuels Outlook.

Wood Heat Fights to be a Bigger Player
Portland's Press Herald writes about the policy toolkit published by the Alliance this summer. Click here for the article. 

 

Washington Watch   


WESTAR Urges Sticter EPA Regulations 

 

The Western States Air Resources Council (WESTAR) sent a letter to the EPA on July 18, urging them to put in place a more stringent standard for residential wood heaters. They also expressed concern about the prospect of eliminating the requirement that a wood heater be tested at a low burn rate. For more


Support for Biomass Thermal Continues to Build

Summertime is a natural opportunity to take stock of the year's biomass progress and project toward the fall months and heating season. Looking back, it's fair to assess the first half of 2011 as a time of growing recognition of biomass thermal energy. For more   

   

 

Featured Product     

 

Reliable Pellet Stoves 

Objective ratings of pellet stoves are nearly impossible to come by, but Scott Williamson, an independent pellet stove technician, kept meticulous repair histories from more than 5,000 house calls. Here, he rates what he found to be four of the most reliable pellet stoves. He includes a Harman, a Lopi, an Enviro and, pictured right, the England Stove Works model 25-PDV.  

 

Featured Opinion    

 

Why I Bought Two Tons of Wood Heating Pellets 

Martin LaMonica, a senior writer for CNET's Green Tech blog, describes how a pellet stove complements his solar PV system. For more 

Request for Interest 

Attention: Technology Developers

BC Bioenergy Network is inviting technology developers to submit an expression of interest ("EOI") for woody biomass combined heat and power ("CHP") technologies suitable for remote communities. The community is currently electrified using diesel generators and is heated using cord wood, propane and baseboard electrical heaters. Put in your bid here.        

 

Wood Heat Media Watch
Dumb Tips from the Internet
  

The stupid wood heat advice from the internet award this month goes to www.eHow.com. "In California, according to the EPA, catalytic converters must be installed to the stove or fireplace," says this article on the website. Another eHow article says that in Vermont an "old wood burning stove" must be placed 200 feet from a neighboring residence.    

 

 
From the Newsroom

  

International

 

Home Heating Scheme Should Boost Biomass Uptake
The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change announced a new �3 million government initiative aimed at installing biomass boilers into social houses. For more

Canada

 

Nova Scotia Pays for Switch from Electric to Wood Heat 

Up through December 2011, Nova Scotia residents who switch from electric to biomass heating may be eligible to receive a rebate from Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation. For more  

 

Quebec Introduces Plan to Eliminate Old Wood Stoves

The Quebec government will begin offering rebates to entice non-certified wood burning stove owners to exchange their product with one that is more environmentally-friendly. For more  

 

State

     

Battle Over Proposition 2 Thickens 

AK:  Voters decide the fate of a ballot proposition that introduces penalties for heavy air polluters and bans certain devices. For more    

 

Low Income Heating Help In Danger of Being Cut

CT: Thousands of low-income families could have a brutal winter ahead, now that the Obama administration scheduled a 50% cut in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For more 

 

Neighbors Complain about Outdoor Wood Boiler   

DE: Outdoor wood boiler owner questions his decision to install the device after being assaulted with complaints from neighbors who say that the smoke 'degrades their quality of life.' For more

  

Wood Stove Changeout Program  

ID: Residents of Idaho's Cache Valley can obtain a rebate and discount on new, cleaner-burning stoves through a state program. For more  

 

Don't Get Burned on Firewood Sales

MA: When purchasing firewood, availability, heating efficiency, price, species and quantity are all important factors to consider if you want to get the most burn for your buck. For more

 

Maine-made Appeal Rekindles Nascent Pellet Industry

ME: Despite a lack of tax credits or other incentives, more and more Maine residents are making the switch to pellet heat to keep dollars circulating in the state. For more  

 

County Considers New Air Quality Regs

MT: The Lewis and Clark County is may raise air quality standards to meet federal guidelines. The changes would likely affect wood stove use 10 to 20 days out of the year, when air quality is the poorest. For more

 

Firewood Prices on the Rise

NH: High oil prices have more homeowners heating with wood and logging supplies have been tight across the state, prompting a price increase. For more 

 

NH Enhances Residential Wood Peel Heat Incentive

NH: New Hampshire is enhancing its rebate program for residential pellet heat, offering a 30% system and installation rebate (up to $6K) on bulk-fed wood pellet central furnaces and boilers. For more 

 

Outdoor Furnace has Neighbors Fuming 

NJ: Public concern over an outdoor wood-burning furnace in a residential neighborhood has prompted council to consider drafting an ordinance restricting future installation of the devices. For more 

 

Local Businesses Affected by Overabudence of Firewood

NY: Tropical Storm Irene left many felled trees in backyards after it ripped through the North Atlantic, and local firewood sellers fear all the surplus wood might be bad for business. For more       


Free Moisture Meter Offer for Puget Sound Residents 

WA: Sign up for a Puget Sound Clean email list and take the "Be green, burn clean" pledge to receive a free moisture meter. For more  

 

Coalition Launches Wood Stove Changeout Program  

WI: Residents of Dane County are being offered a $750 rebate to voluntarily replace their old, inefficient wood stoves or fireplaces with EPA certified devices. For more      

 

Upcoming Conferences and Webinars

Woody Crops Webinar Series 

October 12, 26; November 16     

The University of Minnesota-Extension is offering a series of free web-based seminars on woody biomass this fall. For more 

 

Northeast Biomass Conference and Trade Show

Pittsburgh, PA October 11-13

This conference will be a dynamic regional offshoot of the International Biomass Conference and Expo. For more

 

Maryland Renewable Energy Summit

Baltimore, MD October 27-29

The summit promises to offer attendees strategic insight into the renewable energy scene in Maryland. For more 

 

Biomass Thermal DC Summit

Washington, DC November 16

Rural, renewable energy and natural resources interests will be gathering for this event, hosted by BTEC, AGH and others. For more   

 

Fourth Annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo

Saratoga Springs, NY March 22, 23

This exposition is the successor to three very successful Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass conferences. For more   

 

European Wood Stove Expo

Saint-Etienne, France March 22-25

This exhibition promises to showcase many technology advances in European wood stove design. For more   

 

 
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Thanks Too...
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.

Alliance for Green Heat is funded in part through a grant by the Wood Education and Resource Center, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service. AGH is an equal opportunity provider.

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A special thanks to those who have contributed $2,000 or more between June 2009 and February 2011
-- Wood Education Research Center (USDA Forest Service)
-- Dr. William & Frances Ackerly
-- American Biomass
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-- Ramsay Merriam Fund
-- Takoma Foundation

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