Massachusetts Woodstoves change out pilot program

[smwilliamson]

(broken link removed to http://www.masscec.com/masscec/file/REG/Woodstoves/Woodstove%20Changeout%20Program%20Manual_2012-12.pdf)

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Heard about this last week and it was on the Boston news this morning. Basically it's $2K for low income folks who get first crack at the funds and then it will be opened up to all at $1K per. Only $100K to spend so it shouldnt last long.

 

[smwilliamson]

100k is just the initial funding for a pilot program. The program actually has quite a bit of money, on a rolling basis from what I heard but they want to make sure there is interest and that the program actually works. The route of the plan is to use carbon offsets from utilities to get non EPA compliant stoves out of service. Too much jargon though. A simple solution would be to pay $500 or $600 for each non-compliant stove which is submitted for disposal. They try to work in all these angles under the guise of low income etc....but as a retailer, there really isn't anything in it for me...supplying the stove would actually cost me the profit from the new stove sale.

 

[zinfendel]

May be a dumb question (I'm a newbie), but how can you tell if your stove is EPA Certified? I just bought a used Harman stove, would it say so on the manuf. label??

 

[smwilliamson]

May be a dumb question (I'm a newbie), but how can you tell if your stove is EPA Certified? I just bought a used Harman stove, would it say so on the manuf. label??

(broken link removed to http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/publications/monitoring/caa/woodstoves/certifiedwood.pdf)

 

[smwilliamson]

Just got an update from John Ackerly from The Alliance for Green Heat:

Partial quote from correspondence

I just had a long talk with Ben Dodge who is managing the change out program at the Mass Clean Energy Center, and he is pretty overwhelmed with applications and has a solid, but basic understanding of wood and pellet stoves. Very nice guy who is open to further discussion in the future, once he is out from under all the applications.

The good news is that after only one week, they already have $120,000 worth of low-income applications! They think many of them will be incomplete and not sure how they will handle all those. But sounds like all the money may go to low-income residents. He also said that they had $400,000 worth of rebates from applicants who withdrew their online applications when they realized that it was only open to low-income families. More good news is that there is more money for a continued program past this pilot program and they still will be eager to serve low-income families.

 

[smwilliamson]

Funding has been qualified for the second round...$303,000

from email:

Today we have launched the second round of the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out, and we hope that you will participate. Both Standard ($1,000) and Low Income ($2,000) Voucher Applications will be available at apply.masscec.com, and for download at (broken link removed to http://www.masscec.com/woodstove). Funding available for this round is approximately $303,000. Please review the Program Manual attached. Notable modifications in the program are located below.

· The Program will no longer be accepting applications for the replacement of wood pellet-burning stoves.
· The Program will now allow Property Owners to apply for Low Income Vouchers on behalf of low income Host Customers (e.g., tenants). Property Owners applying on behalf of Low Income Host Customers must fill out a paper application available at (broken link removed to http://www.masscec.com/woodstove).
· Property Owners or Host Customers receiving Social Security Disability Income will now qualify for the low income voucher. See Section 2.1.1 for more details.
· The 45-day Voucher life has been eliminated. Vouchers must be redeemed, and Retailers must submit Rebate Application by April 15, 2013.
· Stove disposal requirements have been clarified. Non-EPA-certified stoves may be disposed of at any scrap or junk yard as long as the Retailer can certify that the stove will be rendered inoperable. See section 2.4 of program manual.
· The Retailer Affidavit has been removed from the Rebate Application.
· Building permits, signed by the local building inspector, are now required as part of project completion documentation. We understand that this may add to the length of time it takes you to receive reimbursement for accepting the voucher. We feel that this is the safest way to ensure safe installations. We also understand that this may not be possible in some towns. We are happy to discuss and work with you on a case by case basis in unique circumstances as program requirements permit.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Ben Dodge
Project Manager
Renewable Thermal Program
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
55 Summer St.
9th Floor, Boston, MA 02110
Work: (617) 315-9379
Mobile: (978) 273-3767
Fax: (617) 315-9356
[email protected] www.masscec.com