Featured

Trump Administration may end firewood bank funding

Future firewood bank funding remains uncertain as the government froze payments on existing contracts, ignoring Congressionally approved funding of firewood banks. Congress voted on $8 million over five years, in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This funding is entirely consistent with using domestic energy sources and supporting a core goal of the Forest Service. AGH met with members of Congress to secure their support and help in continuing the program. Photo to right: Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) with a firewood bank coffee mug.

Contact your member of Congress to support firewood banks!

We urge everyone who cares about firewood banks to identify your members of congress and write to them or call them through the Capital Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Make sure you mention:

• Ask that funds for the US Forest Service’s Firewood Bank Assistance Program be restored,
• Explain that firewood banks provide critical service to rural, low-income people,
• If you are affiliated with a firewood bank, describe what it’s importance in your community, and

For a guide on contacting your congressmembers to advocate for firewood banks, check out our resource sheet here. 

AGH needs your support

AGH is going through what we hope is a temporary funding crises and we are asking for donations from those who appreciate this newsletter and the work we do. We have had to furlough some staff but need to keep some essential services going for firewood banks, this newsletter and other activities. Thanks to those of you who already donated! Please donate any amount here.

Tariffs to hit heating fuels and wood and pellet stoves

The cost of heating oil and propane is set to rise in New England and elsewhere under Trump's 10% tariffs, as are wood and pellet stoves and stove parts made in Canada, Mexico and China. SBI, Enviro, Blaze King are among stove companies that manufacturer in Canada. US Stove manufacturers in China.

Washington State Wood Stove Bill withdrawn

A Washington State bill passed the House that would give the state some new powers to regulate wood stoves. Industry raised concerns and partook in a misinformation campaign, inferring this was some sort of stove ban. The state agency struggled to explain why the bill was needed and how it would work. AGH urged the state and its regional air agencies to adopt a more common-sense approach.

Agencies

EPA: EPA unfreezes billions in climate funding

At least two federal judges issued temporary restraining orders barring the Trump administration from freezing the funds. The funding to states and nonprofit groups offers things such solar power to low-income households and also includes some wood stove change-outs.

IRS: The $2,000 heat pump and biomass stove tax credit is in danger

Republican lawmakers are considering cutting certain tax incentives such as 25C to fund the extension of Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered the corporate income tax rate to 21 percent.

Congress

BTEC: Expand tax credits for modern pellet and chip heating

The BioThermal Energy Council is working to file a revised version of the BTU Act, rebranded as the AFFA, America’s First Fuel Act. Should this legislation pass it would allow all wood stove installations to have a 30% tax credit for the the heater and its installation, with no cap. Additionally, AFFA would create a new Section 48F that would extend the credit to small commercial systems.

Consumer Resources

Consumer Reports updates advice on pellet heaters

Consumer Reports put out an excellent buying guide on pellet heaters, concluding that they can be a cost-effective way to heat your home. AGH provided extensive advice to the author and the stove testers, but the criteria they used to test and rank stoves remained largely unchanged, and in our opinion did not lead to a very useful ranking for consumers. AGH urged the highly influential institution to consult more independent pellet stove experts prior to testing and developing criteria.

Pellets

Biomass Magazine's Pellet Mill List

The list can be filtered by the following factors: active, expansion, idled, long-term idled, proposed, and under construction. It includes both U.S. plants and Canadian plants. There are 132 US plants on the list with a total capacity (MT) of 20,400,902.

Industry

Blaze King Industries introducing wood stoves for new construction and single rooms

"The stoves are equipped with built-in thermostats and a unique air management system that ensures efficient, long-lasting heat. Forty hours of heating can be achieved, without reloading, from its largest model, the King KE40."

Wood burning stoves are "good for your health," industry report says

"It pulls together data from academic publications, industry reports, and recent surveys across the UK and Europe. The report claims that stove users report positive effects on their personal wellbeing, including relaxation and reduced stress levels." You can read the report here.

18 states want Trump to outright reject European forest sustainability rules

"The commissioners noted three major concerns of the regulation: 1) infringement of private property rights, 2) the confidentiality and security of geolocation traceability, and 3) economic impacts on US agriculture." The states that signed on to the letter included AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MS, MI, NB, NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, AND WV.

Updated EU Stove Standards

Controversial EU clampdown on wood stoves delayed

The European Commission has delayed plans to present a plan to ban the sale of harmful wood stoves and heaters from 2027 after pushback from Czech and German lawmakers. Like in the US, the European stove industry can sometimes postpone or thwart cleaner standards at the federal and state level.

Proposal for wood furnaces and boilers to connect to the grid so they can be controlled

"The president of the Association for Ecological Wood Heating, expressed concern that wood stoves are losing their independence from external controls. The European Commission's proposal stipulates that new furnaces must be connected to the electricity grid. Only in this way can automatic combustion control and the functionality of the filter systems provided for them be checked."

World Sustainable Energy Days 2025

Wels, Austria, March 5-7, 2025

The World Sustainable Energy Days are a leading annual conference on the energy transition and climate neutrality with over 650 participants from more than 60 countries.

EPA's 2025 Air Sensors Workshop

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, March 18-20, 2025

The Workshop aims to (1) discuss the processes, tools, and engagement strategies, and (2) highlight success stories and potential practical outcomes utilizing air sensors.

Biomass Boiler Technology Conference for Engineers

Portland, Maine, March 26, 2025

Learn more about the sustainability & advantages of wood chip & pellet boiler systems. Sessions include "Is forest biomass carbon neutral?" and "State of the Art Biomass Boiler Design & Installation." Contact Jim@FrolingEnergy.com for more information.

HPBExpo 2025

New Orleans, Louisiana, March 26-29, 2025

The annual hearth convention to help retailers, buyers, manufacturers, and suppliers connect and build stronger businesses in a changing market.

Masonry Heater Association Annual Meeting 2025

Little Switzerland, North Carolina, April 7-13, 2025

Annual meeting at Wildacres Retreat featuring hands-on workshops with technical lectures and demonstrations.

International Trade Fair for Fireplaces and Cozy Ambience of Living

Leipzig, Germany, April 30-28, 2025

Manufacturers and suppliers will have their own platform to present their products and services.

International Firewood Expo 2025

Cortland, Ohio, May 2-3, 2025

Join people from US and other countries to see some of the best firewood equipment in the industry.

PFI 2025 Annual Conference

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, June 17-19, 2025

The annual gathering of the Pellet Fuel Institute, representing manufacturers of heating pellets.

Alliance for Green Heat | (202) 365-4765 | contact@forgreenheat.org | | www.forgreenheat.org