Ecology provides money to improve air quality

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - September 27, 2007

07-283

Ecology provides money to improve air quality

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will help residents in four areas to trade in their less-efficient, uncertified wood-burning devices and replace them with certified, cleaner-burning wood stoves, fireplace inserts and other heating systems.

Ecology's Air Quality Program will partner with local air quality agencies, energy companies, heating suppliers, neighborhood groups, health departments, and other public entities to help put $473,500 in Ecology grants to work. The money primarily is targeted to help residents who depend on burning wood as their primary heating source.

During winter months, air quality in some areas of the state does not meet standards for fine particles of the type emitted from uncertified wood-burning devices, especially during episodes of stagnant or trapped cold air. Health organizations such as the American Lung Association have linked wood stove emissions with high asthma rates and increases in other respiratory ailments.

"We are helping areas that historically have experienced air-quality problems caused by smoke from the burning of wood in uncertified devices," said Stu Clark, manager of Ecology's Air Quality Program. "Some of these communities face the possibility of violating federal standards for air quality, so we want to do whatever we can to help them make their air healthier."

Here are details of the Air Quality Program's grant awards:

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) will receive $175,000 to help replace up to 240 uncertified wood stoves, and fireplace inserts. The work will take place in Tacoma and surrounding communities. PSCCA will provide about $83,000 in matching funds for change-outs, program administration and outreach.
PSCAA also will receive $44,000 to replace up to 95 uncertified wood stoves and inserts used by residents in Marysville and its associated urban growth areas. PSCAA will provide a match of $68,000 for change-outs, program administration and outreach.
Ecology's Eastern Regional Office will work with businesses and agencies in Stevens County to use a $79,500 grant to replace about 75 uncertified wood stoves and fireplace inserts in Colville in Stevens County. Wood stove manufactures and retailers, Stevens County Public Works Department, and Rural Resources will provide $27,750.
Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority will receive $175,000 to replace up to 130 uncertified wood stoves and inserts in lower-income, high-wood-use households in Yakima, Selah and Union Gap. The agency will work with local retailers, energy providers and public service program coordinators.

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Agency contacts: Amy Fowler, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 206-689-4017

David Caprile, Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority, 509-834-2050 ext. 110

Julie Oliver, Ecology Air Quality Program, 360-407-6839

Media contact: Seth Preston, 360-407-6848