Alliance for Green Heat Projects & Activities     

15 Teams Registered for Wood Stove Design Challenge

The Wood Stove Design Challenge is gaining momentum as the fall deadline for registration approaches. Teams have until October 1st to register and December 20th to complete the application. There are 15 teams registered to date, including 3 student teams looking for sponsorships and 6 teams who are looking for additional team members. If you're interested, please contact Team Captains: http://www.forgreenheat.org/stovedesign/teams.html 

Wood Stove Energy Audit Update

The Alliance continues to press for energy auditors to include wood stoves in their audits. Discussions with EPA, NYSERDA, BPI and state officials point to a near unanimous agreement that wood stoves deserve better representation in energy audits.  

Alliance Works to Stop Installs of Uncertified Wood Stoves in Maryland County

Responding to local concerns, the Alliance for Green Heat is working to ban new installations of old, uncertified stoves in Montgomery County.  The county is more populous than 7 US states. The Mid-Atlantic HPBA supports the initiative and the Maryland Lung Association is likely to support it as well.

Washington Watch         

DOE Starts New Method to Ensure Cost-Effectiveness of Residential Building 

My Air, My Health Challenge

The "My Air, My Health" Challenge seeks innovators and software developers to create a way to display real-time, geographic monitoring and reporting of air pollutants using a portable integrated system. The challenge requires the system to link air-pollutant concentrations with data provided by the EPA and HHS.

Air Quality Focus          

Will Libby Fall Back into Non-Attainment Status?

In response to a court order, the EPA proposed updates to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution. The EPA identified 6 counties that may fail to achieve the standards by 2020, including Lincoln County, MT, where Libby is located.

The American Lung Association says that nine out of ten U.S. cities with the worst air quality are all in California. There is a definite correlation between ozone and particle pollution and health as poor air quality is a serious cause of premature deaths in California.

Focus on Firewood/Pellets           

Protect America's Trees and Forests: Don't Move Firewood

Going camping this summer?  Leave your firewood at home and buy it at the campground.  It will save you gas, but more importantly you could be spreading invasive species.  Bringing firewood from home increases the risk of spreading tree-killing pests from one location that may be resistant to that pest to another is not.  Spread the word: leave your firewood at home.

Study Says Communities Could Make Own Pellets

According to the Arctic Energy Alliance, individual communities can make their own wood pellets. The Alliance stated that if the community can accommodate a factory that can distribute pellets to residents, and is able to make a profit from this production, then making wood pellets within such a community is worthwhile.

Consumer Spotlight          

Consumer Recall Notice for Dangerous Log Splitter

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Crary Industries, has recalled the "Echo Bear Cat Hydraulic Log Splitter", because the end cap of the splitter's hydraulic cylinder can break off and potentially hit the user or bystander. 

Maine Company to Build Austrian Pellet Boilers in the U.S. 

ME: Maine Energy Systems in Bethel, Maine, plans to start building automated, wood-pellet boilers in the U.S. instead of importing them from Europe. 

Resources                           

An excellent pamphlet explaining the financial and health benefits of burning dry wood. Developed by the Burn Wise Program of the U.S. EPA. As far as we know, bulk orders are shipped without any charge to hearth stores. Contact: bremer.kristen@epa.gov