Firewood Banks

Firewood bank leaders hold national meeting

On February 14th, over 20 firewood bank leaders from around the country joined a meeting held by AGH. Firewood banks were able share their struggles and success with each other.

AGH welcomes new advisory board member

Dr. Clarisse Hart, the Director of Outreach and Education at Harvard Forest, has joined the Advisory Board. She has extensive biomass experience and was an early advocate for firewood banks.

Portraits and photos of funded wood banks

See all the firewood banks that have been funded so far.

Agencies

USDA accepting applications for community wood energy projects

The Forest Service has $41 million for grants that include community and commercial wood heating projects. Grants can be used to purchase or upgrade biomass boilers or for district heat systems that can also serve homes.

DOE sponsored Wood Heater Design Challenge goes to HPBExpo

The three winning teams, and representatives from DOE, BNL, LBL and AGH showcase the Wood Heater Design Challenge in Louisville. Come visit us at booth #2239!

State News

Survey on Alaska opinions on wood smoke

Alaska: Only half of residents of Fairbanks Alaska were concerned about health impacts of wood smoke.

California has far too much wood waste?

California: "In Marin County, a coalition of clean-energy, waste and natural-resources organizations is looking into how much woody green waste there is, where it’s coming from, what’s currently happening to it and what are other and potentially better things to do with it."

New pellet mill opens in Colorado

Colorado: New Colorado pellet mill plans to distribute to local hardware stores, where demand for pellets is strong. They have good sources of sawdust, but wood waste from nearby mills cannot be used because it has too much bark which is no good for low-ash pellets.

As Heating Prices Soar, Chimney Sweeps Are Struggling to Keep Up with Demand

New Hampshire: "'Your house is almost like a lung. It breathes, and if it gets suffocated, something is not gonna work properly,' Sam Nieves explained."

Buck Stove expanding under new management

North Carolina: Buck Stove has been taken over by Ronald Carroll who has been with the company for two decades. Paul Williams, formerly at US Stove, is the new sales manager.

Utah Offers grants to upgrade old wood stoves

Utah: Residents in Box Elder, Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake County are eligible for grants of up to $4,300 to replace an old wood stove or fireplace. Vouchers cannot be used on new wood stoves.

International News

Billions in aid for households heating with wood pellet, gas and heating oil

Germany: Households that can show a heating oil, liquid gas or wood pellet bill from the past year that shows more than twice the 2021 price are eligible for relief up to a maximum of 2,000 euros.

VAT on wood pellets is down to 10% in Italy

Italy:The pellet industry provides thousands of jobs and is critical part of Italy’s energy industry. In terms of production and jobs, the pellet industry surpasses the oil industry. Lowering taxes on pellets is critical to keep Italy’s 2 million residents using their pellet stoves instead of fossil fuel.

24 tons of firewood for earthquake victims

Turkey: "The General Directorate of Forestry distributed 8 thousand 100 tons of firewood to Kahramanmaraş, 6 thousand 600 tons to Hatay, 3 thousand 870 tons to Adıyaman and 5 thousand 885 tons to other provinces, a total of 24 thousand 455 tons of firewood."

NY church helps Ukraine heat homes

Ukraine: "Cortland fundraisers have collected more than $1,800, enough to buy 21 wood-burning stoves to keep Ukrainian families warm."