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Interior Wood Burners Association |
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“I like a source of fuel where the price, supply and quality are controlled by one person: me.” |
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Welcome |
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The Interior Wood Burners Association was formed in response to the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s attempt to place the sole responsibility of meeting EPA PM 2.5 particulate pollution attainment on those of us who choose to heat with wood. In doing so they have ignored the remaining sources of pollution that could account for up to 80% of the total emissions. Our mission is simple, to protect our right to heat our homes with the only affordable energy alternative available. |
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To contact us: |
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Borough Must Address All PM 2.5 Sources |
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Wood particulates account for only a portion of the borough particulate problem but are the only source being targeted by the FNSB pollution plan. The Interior Wood Burners Association is asking the Borough to take a step back and consider a plan that addresses all particulate sources. We can not place the entire burden of attainment on area residents who are using the only affordable heating alternative available.
Source contribution data shows that zinc from waste oil burning produces the same quantity of particulates as all wood sources combined. The Borough itself is a major contributor, burning 20,000 gallons of used motor oil per year at the landfill. Why is the borough administration giving commercial retailers a free pass to pollute and telling the residents their wood stoves are to blame?
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The chart below details the costs of energy in other EPA designated non-attainment areas. Due to the high cost of heating oil and extreme climate the cost of switching from wood heat to heating oil is up to six times greater in Fairbanks than in many other areas. This burden is real and impacts those least able to afford it the greatest. Until Fairbanks has access to low cost natural gas or other low cost alternatives we can not conscionably take away anyone's ability to be self sufficient.
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Here are some ideas on how we could more effectively deal with the PM 2.5 particulate problem |
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Ask businesses to refrain from burning waste oil on forecasted non-attainment days. This would include the FNSB landfill. FNSB and School District buildings use a variety of heat sources- oil, steam, and gas heat. Some buildings can switch between gas and oil. Most of the buildings that could be heating with gas (from FNG) are not. Most FNSB buildings are near downtown... They should be burning the cleanest fuels available to them as the cost for the cleaner fuels is minor.
Have all government buildings switch to #1 heating oil and study to impact on particulate levels. Consider incentive an program if this proves to be effective. The added cost for the FNSB and FNSBSD buildings would be less than 100K to go to #1 fuel oil. Approximately 175,000 gallons for the FNSB and 500,000 gallons for the school district. Adding less corrosion to chimneys, greater thermal transfer, and reducing the need to clean boilers as often and the cost for using #1 oil is minimized even further.
Implement a voluntary wood stove change out program. There is already a 30% federal tax credit that can be realized by doing this.
Start an ad campaign in partnership with wood appliance retailers to educate the public on ways to burn more efficient and increase access to wood cutting areas. Increased supply will lead to an increase in the quality of firewood available.
Work with the State to make low-sulfur heating oil available.
Work with the State to bring low cost propane from North Slope to bridge the gap until natural gas is reality. State energy grants reduce upfront capital outlays that directly reduce delivered fuel costs. AGPA is working with ANGDA on this currently. Cheap propane in less than 2 years is possible. Work with the State to keep natural gas pipeline a top priority. Create a separate ordinance to deal with the handful of nuisance outdoor boilers, we don't need a blanket ordinance that punishes those who are being responsible.
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Resources: Ordinance 2010-17 - Latest ordinance from the FNSB attacking wood burning rights.
Letter to FNSB - Community coalition recommendations for voluntary action
Alaska DEC letter to EPA - A must read resource on the PM 2.5 issue.
Hearth.com - Online discussion forum for all things related to solid fuel heating
http://www.hpba.org - Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association factsheets
Draft Ordinance - Draft ordinance detailing wood stove ban and fines
NAEC Fact Sheet on advisory vote - Information regarding the Oct. 6th vote
NESCAUM report - Detailed report on PM pollution from high-sulfur heating oil
2009 Air Quality Symposium Presentations - Many reports on Fairbanks air quality
EPA List of Cleaner Burning Boilers - High efficiency hydronic boilers
www.profab.org - Details on $1,500 Federal Tax Credit for wood appliances
www.woodheat.org - Excellent resource on burning wood.
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We are now accepting donations to support our efforts and to buy advertising to defeat the ballot proposition.. |
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Wood Burning Town Hall Meeting Schedule Tuesday, April 13th 5:00—7:30p.m. Morris Thompson Cultural Center Wednesday, April 14th 5:00—7:30p.m. North Pole Middle School
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