October 2013
Green Heat News AGH logo
Issue No. 50

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Price of Oil

September 23, 2013: $103.62

September 23, 2012: $92.64

 

Source:www.ycharts.com  

In Case You Missed it

Top stories in past issues:  

First North American City to Ban All Wood Stoves

 

Vermont Castings Sold to Management Team

 

Meet the Contestants
Intercontinental

Firemaster

Walker Stoves

Travis Industries

Have YOU Voted?

 

As of August 28th, 2013, the teams leading the People's Choice voting are:   

Kimberly Stove (28%)

Helbro Stoves (19%)

Travis Industries (18%)  

Woodstock Soapstone  (10%)

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: trevor@forgreenheat.org 

Wood Stove Design Challenge Updates  

 

Meet the Competition: A Weekly Showcase 

Follow our weekly blog posts featuring the Decathlon Teams and their innovative stoves. Our most recent post highlights Lopi's Cape Cod Hybrid.  

  

Fine Particle Measurement for Wood Stove Decathlon 

Brookhaven National Labs just published this paper that evaluates the portable Wohler and Testo PM analyzers to be used at the Wood Stove Decathlon against the current EPA method. Both analyzers are a low cost option and offer the advantage of ease and portability. 

 

Behind the Scenes: Only 6 Weeks Until the Decathlon

Read about the challenges and potholes involved in hosting a renewable energy competition on the National Mall.

 

The BioLite CampStove Raffle  

Congratulations to Terri Baker of Colorado as the winner of our BioLite CampStove Raffle. Thanks to everyone that participated. 

 

4 Days of Speakers at the Decathlon! 

Officials from EPA, DOE, USDA and DOI are confirmed to speak, along with members of Congress, judges, teams and a wide range of experts. See updated speakers and schedule.

 

Let Your Friends and Colleagues Know You're Coming!

The Decathlon is free, open to the public and no registration is required. But we want to know if you are coming. Click to RSVP.

 

Thank you to our sponsors! Be part of the future and support innovation that matters. Become a sponsor of the Wood Stove Design Challenge.

 

How You Can Help 

Items Needed for the Wood Stove Decathlon
Please consider an in-kind donation to show your support for the Wood Stove Decathlon and the Alliance for Green Heat. 

Volunteering at the Wood Stove Decathlon
If you will be in the DC area during the Decathlon, from November 12 to November 21, please sign-up to work a shift. Contact Trevor Gionet at 301-841-7881 or via email at trevor@forgreenheat.org.

Invite Your Members of Congress to the Decathlon
Please invite your members of Congress to attend the Decathlon and learn about how wood heat can be very clean. Visit our action center and use a sample letter.  

Thank You For Your Support! 

Our Projects & Activities 

 

2012 Census: Wood Heating Continues Growth Streak 

According to recently released U.S. Census statistics, 63,566 more families used wood or pellets as a primary heating fuel in 2012 compared to 2011, which amounts to an increase of 2.6%, making wood again the fastest growing heating fuel in America.

Maryland Raises Rebate and Indefinitely Extends Wood and Pellet Stove Program 

Maryland announced that it extended its innovative rebate program for wood and pellet stoves indefinitely, and raised the rebates to $500 for wood stoves and $700 for pellet stoves - but only if you heat with electricity, oil or propane.
  

The Alliance Partners with USDA &  

Groups to Promote Wood Heat 

John Ackerly of the Alliance for Green Heat, joined the USDA's Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and Biomass Power Association, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council and the Pellet Fuels Institute for the announcement of their new partnership agreement.

BPI just released the first energy audit standards that include inspections of wood and pellet stoves. Public comments can be made through November 18. This process was started by the Alliance who blew the whistle on the systematic omission of wood stoves from energy audits.

The DOE, and many in the pellet stove industry, claim that pellet stoves are exempt from EPA emission testing. This and other myths about pellet stoves are widespread.  The Alliance is calling on DOE and EPA to correct and improve their websites.

See what's going viral on Facebook

 

Like us on Facebook!   

"Like" the Alliance for Green Heat page on Facebook to get breaking news and analysis from a consumer perspective.  Most liked posts in September: 

 

Washington Watch  

 


With the Government shut down and winter approaching, who is going to protect us from woodstove smoke now?  With 15,000 EPA employees sitting at home, important jobs like regulating wood smoke will go undone.

Right wing journalism fans fears of government banning your wood stove.  Never mind that all existing stoves will be grandfathered in the NSPS. And that anyone outside of Washington and Oregon can install second-hand stoves. 

The Alliance and a group of biomass heating groups are urging the EIA to provide more extensive coverage of wood and pellet heating in their reports.  EIA is slowly moving in the right direction.

Focus on Pellets    

 

Find out how wood pellets are made from sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, wood scraps, and other lumber by-products.
 

PFI Standards Program Certifies 2 New Companies 

Curran Renewable Energy (N.Y.) and American Wood Fibers (Ohio, & VA) have qualified under the Pellet Fuels Institute pellet fuel standards program, a third party certification program, joining New England Wood Pellet, the company to comply.
 

Focus on Wood Heating    

 

What Drives the Price of Firewood? 

The price of a cord of green firewood is running about $185 this year, about the same as last year. It's a price that's mostly determined locally - at least compared to other home heating fuels. 

 

Should You Buy a Wood Stove New or Used? 

When thinking about home heating, it can be easy to want to cut corners. But if an old uncertified stove is used, it can often drive up heating costs in the long run since it may use more fuel. Uncertified stoves are often 30 percent less efficient than EPA-certified stoves. 

 

Mayor Pushes for Wood Stove Rebate Project Expansion 

At certain times, the air quality in the Cowichan Valley does not pass provincial standards. North Cowichan Mayor, John Lefebure, is expanding rebates to switch out old stoves for new ones.

 

From the Newsroom   
 
International
 

Biomass an Untapped Resource, Climate Group Says    

Canada: Waste wood from logging and forest fire mitigation could replace 30 to 50% of the fossil fuel used in B.C. and significantly reduce carbon emissions for heating buildings and water, a new study says. 

 

State 

 
AK: The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Air Quality's newly released regulations include tougher standards for new wood stoves.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/21/4498378/new-fairbanks-air-quality-regulations.html#storylink=cpy
 
CO: Permits are available by lottery to collect firewood from hazard tree removals within Rocky Mountain National Park. Collection begins Friday, September 20, and lasts through Friday, October 4.

Wood Burning Furnaces Fuel Local Disagreements 

CT: Outdoor wood furnaces generate heat and smoke - and they also generate strong feelings. Environmental and health advocates say wood-burning furnaces are a detriment to local air quality.

 

IL: The Manlius Village Board was in the process this week of writing up an ordinance that will better regulate outdoor wood boilers.

ME: Not so long ago, 80 percent of Maine homes relied on oil, making it the most heating-oil-dependent state in the country. Now only 69 percent of Maine homes rely on heating oil and 12 on wood!

  

ME: Pelletco, a start up company in Orno that has 11 HeatPods installed already, is selling BTU's at a price that's nearly 20 percent less than the cost of oil.

  
UT: Air-quality advocates urged the Utah Air Quality Board to consider year-round restrictions on wood burning in places where fine particulate matter is making the air unhealthy.

UT: A group of physicians said burning wood or coal in a fireplace or stove is a practice that has come and should go - especially in regions where Utah struggles with air quality.
 
WA: The Washington State Department of Ecology is updating the statewide rule and plan for solid-fuel burning devices like wood stoves, fireplaces, pellet stoves, and masonry heaters.
 
Upcoming Conferences and Webinars

 

2013 North American Biochar Symposium

Amherst, Massachusetts, October 13-16, 2013

Designed for those who want to learn about biochar as an alternative to fossil fuel-based fertilizers/pesticides and energy. 

 

2013 Maryland Clean Energy Summit

Hyattsville, Maryland, October 15-16, 2013

Featuring distributed energy and smart solutions. AGH is very active in this annual conference.

 

National Bioenergy Day 

Nationwide, October 17, 2013

Local events will be held at bioenergy facilities across the country to educate the audiences about the benefits of nature's energy source.

 

International Smoke Symposium 

Adelphi, Maryland, October 21-24, 2013

The Symposium identifies knowledge gaps within the field of smoke science for future research. Our own John Ackerly will present a talk on "Reducing Smoke through Wood Energy: The Role of USDA".

 

Freeport, Illinois, October 24, 2013

The goal of the symposium is to promote the biomass industry on the local level and have attendees leave knowing that woody biomass is a viable option and an economic engine for the area.

   

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.  

 

Annapolis, Maryland, October 30, 2013

The conference aims to aid in advancing the responsible use of Maryland's vast supply of woody biomass for clean, affordable energy production.

Wood Stove Decathlon

Washington, DC, November 15 - 19, 2013

AGH hosts an international technology competition, panel discussions, and product and ideas exposition 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.   

 

Northeast Biomass Heating Expo

Portland, Maine, April 9-11, 2014

  The Expo unites a diverse audience from biomass fuel, supply chain, developer, manufacturer, and government sectors to break barriers for biomass thermal and CHP systems.     

 

Photo of the Month!

 

 If wood stoves were as oversized as some outdoor wood boilers.....

 

 
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 
-- Maryland Energy Administration 
-- DC Dept. of Transportation, Urban Forestry Administration
-- U.S. Forest Service

Become a Green Heat Founding Member: Make your donation here  

 

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