Monterey Bay Air Resources District Announces Start-Up Date for 2016/2017 Wood Stove Change-Out Program Program Starts September 8, 2016
Monterey, CA – September 2, 2016
Starting September 8, 2016, homeowners in the San Lorenzo Valley can save between $1,000 to $2,500 byreplacing their old wood stove or fireplace with a natural gas, propane or pellet fueled stove or fireplace insert. Discounts are available through participating local dealers. A total of $75,000 has been set aside for the program. The incentives will be distributed to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted. Homeowners who have been income qualified by Central Coast Energy Services under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be eligible for the highest incentives. The program focuses on the San Lorenzo Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains where wintertime residential wood smoke is especially problematic. The unique combination of frequent winter inversions coupled with an abundance of residents who burn wood to heat their homes can cause fine particulate (PM2.5) levels to rise above EPA’s health based air quality standard for PM2.5. The program helps homeowners save money while improving the air quality in their homes and neighborhoods by changing out old wood burning devices with a cleaner alternative. This will be the sixth year of the discount based change-out program. Applications will be accepted starting at 9 am PDT September 8th. Applications submitted before that time will not be accepted. Applications are available on-line or at participating dealers.
For details check the Wood Stove Program link at http://mbard.org/
Richard A. Stedman
Air Pollution Control Officer