Massachusetts: Commonwealth Woodstove Changeout Program Description: This state project provided rebates to Massachusetts residents to help pay for replacement of uncertified wood stoves with cleaner, EPA-certified wood, pellet, or gas heaters. Priority was given to low-income residents. Over $2 million was used to replace 2,300 stoves. Title Commonwealth Woodstove Changeout Program Location (City, Counties, Region) Massachusetts, state-wide Population/Number of homes covered by project • Population: 6.9 million (2019) • Housing Units: 2.9 million (2019) Objectives (NAAQS attainment/maintenance, indoor air, visibility, air toxics, public education) • Reduce fine particles (PM2.5) from wintertime woodsmoke. • Remain in attainment with daily PM2.5 National Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). • Improve indoor air quality. • Provide rebates to replace non-EPA certified wood stoves and hydronic heaters with cleaner, more efficient EPA-certified wood heaters. • Educate the public on cleaner wood heaters and incentives available for purchasing new heaters. Milestones (Project time frame, number of changeouts, air quality goals, number of low-income homes targeted if applicable) • Changeout program launched in 2012 and received state funding annually through 2019. • First state changeout program in the country to provide higher incentives for fully automated/more efficient stoves than for less efficient stoves. • Total of 2,300 stoves replaced. • More than 500 rebates given to residents earning less than 80% of the state median income. 42% of the 2019 rebates were income-based. Budget (Projected/actual cost) • Over $2 million in funding since 2012. $450K from MA Department of Energy Resources (Mass DOER) Alternative Compliance Payments, and MA Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC) Renewable Energy Trust for 2017- 2019 Commonwealth Woodstove Changeout Program. Funding Sources (Government funds, grants, Supplemental Environmental Project, fees, etc.) • Mass DOER Alternative Compliance Payments • Mass CEC Renewable Energy Trust Partners (Government/private organizations involved) • American LunR Association: https://www.lunR.orR/ • EPA Region 1 • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP): https://www.mass.Rov/orRs/massachusetts-department-of- environ mental-protection • Mass CEC: https://www.masscec.com/ ------- Title Commonwealth Woodstove Changeout Program Mass DOER: https://www.mass.Rov/orRs/massachusetts-department- of-enerRV-resources Incentives Offered (Rebates, discounts, vouchers, incentives for low-income homes, etc.) Ordinances/Regulations (Mandates for cleaner-burning hearth devices) • Standard rebates up to $1,750. • Rebates up to $3,250 offered for households with annual income less than 80% of state median income. • MassDEP regulates sale, installation, and operation of hydronic heaters (outdoor wood boilers). Hydronic heaters may be sold in Massachusetts that meet EPA emissions standards and whose manufacturers have filed compliance certifications. The state regulation for new units includes requirements for setback distances from property lines and neighbors' dwellings, and smokestack height. See: https://www.mass.Rov/service-details/massachusetts-certified- outdoor-hydronic-heaters • State municipalities have authority to enact ordinances that prohibit or limit the use of hydronic heaters. Project Yardstick (Number of woodsheds constructed, number of stoves replaced with new stoves or other technology, etc.) 2,300 stoves replaced Outreach/Marketing (Radio/TV public service announcements, workshops, woodstoves expo, flyers, mailouts, social media) Air Quality Data/Other Results (Air-quality status in project area. Is improving indoor air quality part of project?) • Announcements in local news and online. See: https://www.iberkshires.com/story/54257/Massachusetts-Residents- Can-Participate-in-Woodstove-ChanRe-out-ProRram-ARain.html; https://www.mass.Rov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces- 450000-for-woodstove-rebate-proRram; https://www.masscec.com/bloR/2019/10/15/masscec-brinRS-heat- 2019-woodstove-chanRe-out-proRram • Promotional material provided by woodstove retailers (e.g., Bennington Pool & Hearth, Friends of the Sun, The Fire Place). See: http://www.bpsh.com/?p=462 • Difficult to quantify air-quality trends (both indoor and outdoor) due to changeouts. However, in general, EPA-certified hydronic heaters emit 70-90% less PM2.5 than older units. Lessons Learned (What worked? What didn't? Tips? How can project be improved?) • Partnerships between local government and the private sector are key. • Important to maintain partnerships and agreements with specific dealers in response to requests from citizens. • Educational outreach on proper wood-burning practices is essential. Project Contact (Name, organization, phone number, email address, web link to project) • Mass DEP Mark Cohen (marc.cohen(5)mass.gov) • EPA ReRion 1 Dianne Chabot (Chabot.Dianne(5)epa.Rov) • https://www.mass.Rov/Ruides/heatinR-your-home-with-a-wood- burninR-appliance ------- |