MARYSVILLE In winter months there are elevated levels of soot and smoke that come very close to violating Environmental Protection Agency standards, said Amy Warren of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
With that in mind, the agency has put together a rebate program designed to entice persons with older wood-heating stoves to replace or upgrade their outdated equipment with newer, more efficient technology.
Because of the evidence of high concentrations of the particulate matter generated by wood smoke, the program targets Marysville and a few other areas.
Marysville residents can receive financial aid of up to $750 for replacing an old wood stove with a cleaner burning gas model, Warren said.
Were especially pleased that people have chosen to go to gas, Warren added, stating the agency promotes gas heaters as the most environmentally sound alternative to wood stoves.
Homeowners can work with participating contractors and dealers to choose their preferred new appliance and any discount is applied at the time of purchase. Additional incentives and offers are available through a variety of groups including Puget Sound Energy and the Snohomish County PUD. Financing also may be available to qualified households.
City resident Randy Thompson is one of approximately 160 persons who have taken advantage of the program so far.
It was probably one of the best programs Ive ever seen, Thompson said, adding he found out about the incentives on-line. Those interested must fill out an application form that Thompson described as reasonably thorough. Applications can be had through the mail or on-line. Thompson went the electronic route and said he received a response within 24 hours.
Eventually, Thompson earned the maximum aid amount of $750. Other incentive levels are available, ranging from $200 and up, depending on what type of new stove or heating device is purchased.
Warren said the clean air agency handles applications on a first-come, first-served basis. The agency has about $49,000 to spend on the program. As of last week, officials extended the application deadline from Feb. 29 to April 30. The agency recommends replacement of any stove older than 1995. There should be a plate on the back of your stove stating the year it was produced. Stoves that bear no plate may be eligible as well.
The city supports measures by the clean air agency to help clear the air in Marysville, said Doug Buell, Marysville public information officer. He added replacing older, possibly polluting stoves with newer devices is in keeping with the spirit of the citys Healthy Communities Project.
According to the clean air agency, the federal EPA imposed certain new clean air standards in 2006. The rules lowered dramatically the allowable amount of fine particle pollution; that is, particles less than 2.5 micrograms in size. Communities that do not meet the new standards can face a number of restrictions imposed by the federal government.
Applications and more information on the wood stove replacement program can be had by visiting www.pscleanair.org. There is a link to the clean air agency on the citys Website, at ci.marysville.wa.us, as well. For those without web access, call 888-859-5799.