Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Learning from Experience

Refining the Model

The Pittsburgh-area campaign in 2005 demonstrated the importance of building diverse coalitions and identifying strong local champions to lead the program.

EPA had identified the region as a candidate for a changeout, and approached the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership about applying for program funding. The Partnership submitted a proposal, and succeeded in receiving an EPA grant for $100,000, but needed to supplement that funding. The Allegheny County Health Department provided an additional $80,000 that allowed the campaign to begin in 11 counties surrounding Pittsburgh.

Shaping Future Changeouts

Once funding was in place, the Partnership worked with HPBA and EPA to plan the campaign, and the approach they developed included several elements that have since become standard ingredients in model programs.

Thanks to the relatively high level of funding, the Partnership was able to develop the two-pronged approach often replicated in other changeouts: 1) low-income citizens could receive a $2,000 voucher to replace their old stove, and 2) other residents were offered the opportunity to purchase replacements at a discount from participating retailers. To help identify candidates and screen applicants for vouchers, the Partnership worked with the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The Partnership also recognized the importance of centralized program coordination, and designated staff in Allegheny County to serve in that role.

There were also a few unanticipated challenges in Pittsburgh. Public awareness efforts did not begin until just before the program’s kick-off, which led to some confusion about who was eligible and what they were eligible to receive. In addition, the campaign took place during the fall, which is the busiest time of year for most hearth product retailers. It soon became apparent that future changeouts should be scheduled either before the “season” or after it in late winter and spring when retailers and manufacturers can focus more attention on the changeout campaign.

While these issues presented challenges, they also served as invaluable lessons that have helped HPBA, EPA and their partners continue to fine-tune the Wood Stove Changeout Program.

Results and Lessons Learned

Participating retailers completed 31 changeouts for low-income residents, and about 200 for participants in the discount portion of the campaign.
The best season to schedule the changeout campaign is in the late winter or spring.
It is critically important to identify a local champion within a key government agency to coordinate coalition activities.

For More Information Contact

Tom Lattner
Allegheny County Health Department
412-578-7986
TLattner@achd.net