Bishop, CA – Residents of Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties who are currently relying on old woodstoves or open fireplaces to heat their homes may qualify for a new program recently launched by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. Targeting old wood burning devices that burn inefficiently and emit high levels of unhealthy smoke throughout the region, the Air District’s new ”Woodstove Replacement Program” is aggressively targeting these old heating systems with funding for new, EPA-compliant replacements.
According to Ted Schade, the Air District’s Air Pollution Control Officer, “Because smoke from old woodstoves is emitted in our communities, where we live, work and play, it is a source of air pollution that that impacts the health of all District residents, but it especially impacts our children and the elderly. Great Basin’s Woodstove Replacement Program will improve air quality and allow homes to be heated more efficiently.”
As part of the Air District’s larger’ Clean Air Projects Program’ (CAPP), the new Woodstove Replacement Program was approved earlier this month with $1.1 million to provide cleaner heating systems throughout the District, which encompasses Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties. Qualified residents must live within this territory (including tribal lands) and be currently relying on a 1990 or older wood burning system or open fireplace as their main heating source (pellet, gas and kerosene systems do not qualify). Low-to-no cost replacement choices include new, EPA-certified, free standing wood or pellet stoves, wood and pellet inserts, and propane or kerosene heating systems.
Funding is limited to a ‘first come, first served’ basis. All interested, qualified Air District residents are encouraged to immediately contact a local woodstove and heating equipment retailer for more information. To find a list of participating retailers, go to CAPP’s weblink at http://capp.gbuapcd.org. Additionally, with invaluable assistance from the Bishop Post Office and Postmaster Alicia Wendt, several thousand postcards have also been mailed to Air District addresses advertising the Woodstove Replacement Program noting the list of participating retailers.
Everyone should be advised that funding will run out quickly for this popular program. However, all names and contact information of qualified residents will be saved for future notification when more funds become available.
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