Vermont Wood Heating Initiative

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Eric Johnson

Mod Emeritus
Hearth Supporter
Nov 18, 2005
5,871
Central NYS
"Vermont GOP unveils new heating plan"

By Neal Goswami, Bennington Banner Staff Writer, June 18, 2008


BENNINGTON — House Republicans unveiled a new plan Tuesday aimed at alleviating the rising cost of heating fuel that stands to squeeze poor and middle class Vermonters this winter.

Hope to ease burden
Theplan, dubbed the "Harvest to Heat Initiative," will ease the financial burden that high fuel costs present if paired with Republican Gov. James Douglas' "Vermont Fuel and Food Partnership," which was introduced last week, according to its proponents.

"We believe that our three-point approach will help mitigate the high cost of fuel for many Vermonters this winter — putting more money in their pockets, while diversifying our state's energy sources by encouraging more local, renewable heating options," saidAssistant Minority Leader Rep. Patti Komline, R-Dorset.

The first priority of the plan is to address the concerns of the most needy Vermonters, calling for the state's Weatherization Program to install wood stoves and wood pellet stoves for homes that receive weatherization services in conjunction with the Low Income Heating Fuel Assistance Program. Wood pellets and cordwood are roughly half the price of fuel oil this year, according to House Minority Leader Rep. Steven Adams, R-Hartland.

"The increased funding the Weatherization Program would receive in this proposal can be used for the purchase and installation of these stoves," Adams said. "LIHEAP funds can then be used for wood or pellets, effectively doubling the program's purchasing power."

The plan also aims to address the needs of the middle class, who do not qualify for heating fuel assistance, but will struggle to afford anticipated fuel bills.

The plan calls for Douglas to expedite the roll-out of his proposed low-interest loans for heating equipment. Vermont wood stove and wood pellet stove retailers can then participate in the Harvest to Heat Initiative to simplify the purchase/loan arrangement to encourage more Vermonters to make these purchases, which will also support local businesses.

"When we return in January we will sponsor legislation to retroactively repeal the sales tax on wood pellet and wood stoves, effective July 1, 2008. Purchasers would then be able to file for a sales tax rebate and could then use this money to purchase additional wood or pellets," Adams said.

The third part of the plan calls on the Department of Economic Development to "put together a package of incentives that will encourage and nurture start-up wood pellet manufacturing businesses in Vermont."

"This is a renewable, sustainable, green industry which should be established in our Green Mountain State," Komline said. "We know that wood stoves and wood pellet stoves are a viable alternative and addition to diversify our heating systems.

Komline said fuel for those types of stoves is renewable and costs 50 percent less than heating fuels such as oil.

She said 120 gallons of oil equals just one ton of wood pellets, and with oil prices at $4.40 per gallon and pellets at $240 per ton, a household that uses 1,000 gallons of heating fuel can expect to save over $2,500.

Adams and Komline said they would like to see the Legislature's Joint Fiscal Committee take up both the Douglas' proposal and the "Harvest to Heat Initiative" at its next meeting on June 26.

"We have no time to waste," Komline said.

Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs said Douglas intends to consider the proposal and work with the Legislature to address the problem.

"The governor's view is that all innovative ideas need to be on the table as Vermont works together to address the rising cost of fuel and food for families in our state," Gibbs said. "He looks forward to working with the Republican caucus as well as with other legislators to confront this challenge head on and successfully."
 
Now that's a sign of the times. I wonder if they will provide assistance for VC? Thanks for posting Eric.
 
Their syrup still can't touch ours. J/K Sorry.....off topic.

Definately a sign of the times. Hopefully more states will follow thier lead.
 
Gotta wonder what a lot of the taxpayers think about their taxes paying for new stoves and installations for other people.
 
And it's a Republican idea, no less.

Vermont has been heating schools with wood chips for decades.
 
A republican in VT is about equal to a far left Democrat in Texas. This is the great Socialist Republic of VT - only state to elect a socialist to Congress!

Interesting state - highly educated populace with lots of guns, who believe in the environment and in helping the less fortunate. One of the first states to approve civil unions.

I could sum it up that they are progressive - not scared of taking the bull by the horns and making change. They are not, however, as business friendly as NH...which has lower taxes, etc.

As we see here on Hearth.com, republicans burn wood too! We lefties may have re-invented and built 'em, but turns out that most rural population tend to lean toward the right (VT aside).

Also the only state I know where women and men can walk down the street topless.....even teenagers (Brattleboro).
 
The governor and his wife came to our show, along with their security detail (their driver; no gun that I could see). Very nice people who seemed genuinely interested in the Expo and the industry it represents. As we walked around, he stopped to talk to just about everyone.
 
Tfin said:
Their syrup still can't touch ours. J/K Sorry.....off topic.

In yer dreams!
 
BrotherBart said:
Gotta wonder what a lot of the taxpayers think about their taxes paying for new stoves and installations for other people.

We actually believe in taking care of our own.
 
Local, State, and Federal governments have the ability to substantially encourage the use of wood, wind, sun, water, bio-fuels, (and whatever alternaive energy sources I've missed) through such forward thinking actions as Vermont seems to be taking. The federal tax incentive for homeowner alternative energy expenditures has been allowed to die as of the end of 2007 (but they are trying to find ways to lessen dependence on foreign oil..??) And for the forest blessed states in the northern tier of the country it seems to me Vermont's actions should be a no-brainer for everyone. Wish NH would get off it's butt and do something. Unfortunately, many governments are now facing budget shortfalls from thinking that previous year's revenue growth would continue unabated seemingly forever, so new tax credits may be tough to come by. NH does actually have the best maple syrup however :coolgrin:
 
Eric, the governor's detail is armed, he's a state trooper assigned to that detail.

Also, I saw on the news the other day....the United Way in VT I think it was, was going to be working up a program to collect the wood that is cut along roadways, under utilities etc to subsidize poorer people for the winter....thats going to make it harder for us wood scroungers!!
 
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