June 2013
Green Heat NewsAGH logo
Issue No. 46

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Price of Oil

June 4, 2013: $93.36

June 4, 2012: $83.95

 

Source:www.ycharts.com  

In Case You Missed it

Top stories in past issues:  

Save the Date - Wood Stove Decathlon

 

Do You Know the Efficiency of your Pellet Stove?  

 Design Challenge Judge Profile
Kirk Smith is a Professor of Global Environmental Health and is also the founder and director of the campus-wide Masters Program in Global Health and Environment. He serves on a number of national and international scientific advisory committees. He participated, along with many other scientists, in the IPCC's 3rd and 4th assessments and shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and is Convening Lead Author for Climate and Health for the 5th Assesment.

People's Choice

 

As of May 29th, 2013, the teams leading the People's Choice voting are:   

Kimberly Stove (27%)

Helbro Stoves(23%)

Travis Industries (17%)  

Woodstock Soapstone (11%)   

Visit the Popular Mechanics polling page to cast your vote for the most innovative stove in the Challenge! (Only one vote allowed per IP address.)

 

Office Equipment Needed

Have a printer, 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 credit. Contact: melissa@forgreenheat.org 

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New to the AGH Team

Philip Mallari is the new Research Intern at the Alliance for Green Heat. He is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park and is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics and Spanish Language, Literature, and Cultures. Contact: philip@forgreenheat.org

Wood Stove Design Challenge Updates  

 

Decathlon to Include Educational Exhibits

Part of the Wood Stove Decathlon on the Washington Mall in November is about educating Washington policy-makers and media. We are starting to plan for a series of posters and displays of emerging or existing wood stove technology. We can also exhibit wood and pellet stoves and stove cut-aways. For more information, contact info@forgreenheat.org

 

 

 

Chimney Safety Institute & Osprey Foundation Rise to the Challenge!

Welcomes to the latest sponsors of the Wood Stove Decathlon! The Chimney Safety Institute of Americas is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. The Osprey Foundation supports the development of national policies surrounding the awareness and promotion of green technologies. Thank you!  New partners and sponsors are still needed. If interested, contact melissa@forgreenheat.org

 

Thank you to our sponsors!

 

  

Stack Stove Wins Design Plus Award in Germany
The Stack stove company makes stoves in as many different colors and combinations as a trendy washing machine. It may not be much cleaner or more efficient - but its helping bring some much needed style and cool factor to new stoves in Europe. 
  
  
No chimney and no smoke? 97% efficiency? That's unheard of for a stove. Condensing gas boilers are more common now and pellet ones are hitting the market. We should have a condensing wood stove on display at the Wood Stove Decathlon in November. 

Automation is Key to Energy Efficiency  
Automation is the future of energy efficiency. Why? Because it works. You can't rely on the consumer to maximize efficiency. Greater automation in both wood and pellet stoves is key.  

National Park Tourists Urged to See Wood Stoves 
The National Parks Traveler magazine is urging its readers to visit the Wood Stove Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington D.C. this November. After all, it's a National Park too.

Our Projects & Activities 

                 

Outdoor Boiler Companies to Remove Disputed Ratings

The EPA has updated their efficiency testing methods from the previous Method28 OWHH. They have asked outdoor boiler manufacturers to replace outdated efficiency information with the current version by June 14.  This is an important and long overdue step.

 

Verified Stove Efficiency Numbers Posted

Some manufacturers are leading the way in verifying the efficiency of their products. The transparency is just what consumers need to make informed choices. We urge consumers to consider buying from companies that make verified efficiencies public. There is a growing list do so.

 

John Ackerly will give a webinar presentation for the Pennsylvania Extension on June 11 at 1 pm. The webinar will look at future wood heat technologies and policies and assess if engineers are a match for regulators in the US. Advanced registration is not necessary.

The Board of Directors of AGH is seeking nominations for additional Board members who can help raise funds, connect with key constituency groups, and provide guidance to the organization. Nominations should include a short statement about the candidate's qualifications and be sent to info@forgreenheat.org by 06/28.

     

See what's going viral on Facebook

 

Like us on Facebook!   

Don't wait until the end of the month. "Like" the Alliance for Green Heat page on Facebook to get breaking news and analysis from a consumer perspective.  Most liked posts this month: 

Washington Watch   

 

EIA Releases Consumption, Price Data for Biomass   

Annual statistics include state-level estimates of consumption, prices and expenditures for woody/waste biomass. California leads the nation with 1.665 million cords consumed residentially in 2011. 

 

Maine Senators Introduce Biomass Incentive Bill

Senators Angus King and Susan Collins have introduced legislation that gives efficient biomass heating systems federal incentives parity with solar and geothermal. Please contact your legislator now and make it burn its way through Congress!

 

Focus on Wood and Wood Smoke     

The Dunedin Citizens Advice Bureau warns people to be cautious when buying firewood. Citizens report being sold poor quality firewood from non-certified sellers.  
 
Certainly it can make breathing uncomfortable *cough*, but two new studies say that there are no serious long-term effects of short term wood smoke exposure. 

Focus on Low Income     

  

According to the EIA, the percentage of American household income spent on home energy bills was the lowest in a decade during 2012. However, the neediest Americans spend about twice the amount of household income on energy bills as the rich do.  

 

From the Newsroom   
 
International
 

Councils Asked for Wood-Fire Options 

New Zealand: An architect is calling for Nelson and Tasman councils to allow residents to install low-emission woodburners in new homes and homes without pre-existing burners.

 

Large Pellet-Fired Heating Plant Launched in Finland 

Finland: A large pellet-fired heating plant was recently installed in Finland. It is based on a pioneering technological solution exceeding the outdated use of fossil fuels. Onneski olkoon! Congratulations!

 

National

 

Why Heating is More Carbon Intensive than Cooling 

A closer look at indoor climate control suggests that southern cities may be more sustainable than their colder sisters in the north. Minneapolis is 3.5 times more energy demanding than Miami. 
  

State 

 
CA: Restrictions on wood-burning fireplaces will be tightened this fall, the latest strategy to meet clean-air standards.

Maryland Company Selling 1,000 Cords Per Year 
MD: In Talbot county, this company can process 3 cords an hour. They cut and sell within a 50 mile radius and represent a typical mid to large sized firewood operation.
  

Governor O'Malley Signs Landmark Forest Legislation 

MD: A first of its kind legislation amends Maryland's forest conservation policy to maintain the State's current 40% tree canopy - a no net-loss.   

 

MN: Fashionable fire pits and chimineas have caught the attention of state environmental regulators, who say wood smoke is becoming a bigger contributor to Minnesota's air pollution.

DEC Accepting Bid to Cut Firewood on State-Owned Land 

NY: The Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting bids from homeowners to cut firewood on state forests in Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga and Tompkins counties.
 
ME: Imports of pellet boilers from Denmark are providing Mainers with more affordable and efficient heating than before. 
 
Upcoming Conferences and Webinars
             

Future of Residential Wood Heating: Growth or Collapse?

NEWbio Webinar, June 11, 2013  

John Ackerly will look at future wood heat technologies and policies and assess whether engineers are a match for regulators in the US.

 

Biomass Cooling Technologies

BTEC Webinar June 18, 2013

Join three experts in this webinar as they explain why biomass isn't just hot, it's cool too.

 

Summer Stove Camp

Cottage Grove, Oregon, July 22 - 26, 2013

"Great stoves" to meet the Global Alliance standards for clean, efficient, and safe cooking.  

 

Pellet Fuel Institute Annual Conference

Asheville, North Carolina, July 28 - 30, 2013 

PFI's annual event dedicated to the pellet industry.  

 

How the Bio-Industry is Reshaping American Energy

DOE, Washington, D.C., July 31 - August 1, 2013

Exchange ideas, showcase new technologies, and discuss opportunities for the future at the DOE's annual biomass event.

 

International Training Seminar

Linz, Austria, September 9 - 12, 2013

Success factors for developing a regional biomass heating market using updated technology and systems.

   

Renewable Energy: Community Solutions for Vermont   

Burlington, Vermont, October 29 - 30, 2013

"90% renewables by 2050" goal requires significant change in the renewable energy approach. Conference proposals are accepted through May 20th. 

 

Next Generation Wood Stove Decathlon

Washington, DC, November 15 - 19, 2013

AGH hosts a technology competition for innovative wood stoves on the National Mall. Be there! 

 

World Sustainable Energy Days

Wels, Austria, February 26 - 28, 2014

This attracts thousands of participants from all over the world. Great minds discuss what's next in green energy and efficiency.   

    

Photo of the Month!     

   

  

 
Please Support Our Work


Thanks
to ...
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.
 
You can make a secure donation online through PayPal here:

 

www.forgreenheat.org/support/donate

A special thanks to those who have contributed $2,000 or more between June 2009 and June 2013

-- Dr. William & Frances Ackerly
-- American Biomass
-- Arbolito Foundation 
-- Chimney Safety Institute of America
-- Constellation Energy
-- Family Alliance Foundation 
-- New York State Energy & Research Development Authority
-- Osprey Foundation
-- Ramsay Merriam Fund
-- Jim & Patty Rouse Foundation 
-- Takoma Foundation
-- University of Maryland Extension Service
-- Wood Education and Resource Center, Northeastern Area State and Private
    Forestry, U.S. Forest Service

Become a Green Heat Founding Member: Make your donation here  

 

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