The Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $8.8 Million for Evaluating Pollution from Wood Heaters under the Investing in America Initiative
TL/DR –
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted $8.8 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and other air agencies for independent testing of emissions from new woodstoves and wood heating devices. This data will help create a ranked list of appliance performance for certified wood heater models, aiding consumers in making decisions about upgrading to cleaner models or other heating options. The grant will also assist the EPA in determining Clean Air Act emissions limits for a new wood heater standard, which could potentially improve air quality across the country.
Inflation Reduction Act Funds Testing for Cleaner Wood Heater Options
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled an $8.8 million grant for independent testing of pollution from woodstoves and wood heater devices. This initiative aims to provide cleaner and healthier alternatives, financed through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, a key player in the largest climate investment in history.
Investments for Cleaner Wood Heating Devices
WASHINGTON – The grant awarded to the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and partner air agencies will fund the independent testing and data analysis of emissions from new woodstove and wood heater models. The data collected will facilitate a performance listing of certified wood heater models in U.S. retail stores, aiding consumers and air agencies in choosing cleaner heating options.
“Residential wood smoke emissions contribute to the premature deaths of 10,000 – 40,000 people in the U.S. annually,” informed Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “This investment will improve our understanding of residential wood smoke and help address emissions that predominantly affect disadvantaged rural communities.”
Impacts of Residential Wood Heating Emissions
Residential wood heating emissions generate increased ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations, leading to significant fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations, particularly in rural, underserved communities where air quality standards for PM2.5 may not be met.
The insights from this grant will inform decision-making on wood heater replacement programs at the state, local, Tribal, and regional levels. The resulting data will also aid the EPA in setting new Clean Air Act emissions limits for wood heaters, improving air quality nationwide. For more information, please see EPA’s air grants and funding website.
About the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act’s Section 60105(d) provides funding for testing and addressing emissions from wood heaters. NESCAUM, an active participant in tackling wood heater emissions, submitted a plan for collaborating with state, local and Tribal air agencies in emissions testing. NESCAUM continues to foster collaborations and partnerships nationwide to address this issue.
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