Nevada 2007

Putting Polluting Stoves In Their Place

By Greyson Howard (Originally published April 30, 2007: Sierra Sun)

Nevada Appeal – Carson City, NV

Programs to replace old polluting wood stoves and fireplaces in Truckee and the Martis Valley may be extended or expanded.

The Town of Truckee and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District sponsor similar programs to replace older stoves and fireplaces with new wood-, pellet- or gas-burning stoves that meet Environmental Protection Agency standards. Both public agencies are offering $300 to $500 rebates to help defray the cost of the EPA-certified replacements.

Heather Kuklo, an air pollution control specialist for Placer County, said the county’s voluntary program currently covers the Martis Valley-Northstar area, but she hopes to expand the program throughout the county.

“We are gathering money, we’re hoping to have a countywide program, maybe as soon as this fall, but more than likely next year,” Kuklo said.

Only the Martis area has funding for stove replacement assistance because the money came from fees on the Lahontan development, about $15,000 of which remains, she said.

In contrast, the Town of Truckee program is mandatory, and residents currently face a deadline of July 15.

But that could change, said Town Planner Duane Hall, because the town council is considering extending the grace period.

According to staff reports, the town may extend the deadline to May 31, 2008, if the council concurs with the proposal.

“This is a direct result of in the early ‘90s when particulate matter pollution was very bad in Truckee, we were getting close to exceeding national standards,” Hall said.

Since then, the town has implemented an Air Quality Management plan, of which the primary focus has been on getting rid of “gross polluting” wood stoves, Hall said.

“This has led to a substantial improvement in air quality over the last 15 years,” he said.

Since 1993, fine particulate matter has dropped by more than half, and coarse inhalable particulate matter has gone down by about 18 percent, according to staff reports.

Hall said town funding for stove rebates came from two sources: The merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads, which contributed $300,000, and from fees on new projects.

Currently, Hall said $260,000 remains in the rebate fund, and the town has disbursed more than $325,000 in rebates since 2000. The subsidies have helped finance the replacement of more than 2,000 noncompliant stoves in the last seven years, Hall said.

Wood stove and fireplace facts:

• EPA-certified wood stoves emit approximately 70 percent less pollution than traditional wood stoves.

• Older uncertified stoves and fireplaces release 40 to 60 grams of smoke per hour, while EPA-certified stoves release 2 to 5 grams per hour.

• Replacing 20 older stoves with 20 EPA-certified stoves can prevent the emissions of one ton of particulate matter into the environment per year.

• The cost of a new wood stove, including installation, varies depending on make and model, but a basic model with installation will cost approximately $1,000 to $3,000.

• Because they more efficiently burn wood and create fewer unburned byproducts like smoke and ash, new stoves will save money on wood consumption.

— Source: Environmental Protection Agency.