John Ackerly President The Scale and Potential of Wood Heat: Why Everyman’s Renewable Will Outpace Solar Northeast Biomass Conference & Trade Show, Pittsburg, Oct. 12, 2011

About the Alliance for Green Heat Founded in 2009; based in Maryland The Alliance is non-profit, 501c3 organization Past funding from Forest Service’s Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC), foundations, companies and individuals Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Overview – Prevalence of Wood Heat 10% of American homes heat with wood. (US Census) Wood heaters make 80% of residential renewable energy; solar 15% and geothermal 5% (EIA). 13 million wood heaters in use (EIA). Wood heat rose more than 90% in 8 states from 2000–2010. (US Census) Wood now ranks as 3 rd most common heating fuel, above propane and oil, when primary and secondary heating is counted. (US Census) Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Residential Energy Trends, 2010

Wood is 3 rd most common heat in U.S.

Top 10 States with Fastest Growing Wood Heat Households

In 1950, the South was the leader

Pennsylvania energy firsts The first commercial U.S. nuclear power plant came online in 1957 in Shippingport, PA; Pennsylvania is the leading petroleum-refining State in the Northeast. The Drake Well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, was the world’s first commercial oil well, and western Pennsylvania was the site of the world’s first oil boom.

US vs. Penn. Heating Trends

Northeastern State Residential Renewable Energy Incentives

Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $2,000 Wood/Pellet Stove = Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $20,000 Solar PV Both systems can displace equal amounts of carbon from fossil fuel: 3 tons. 1 kw system, 1 cord of wood or 1 ton of pellets all displace about 1 ton of carbon from fossil fuels. Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Wood Stoves vs. Solar PV & the Prius Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Transforming Wood Heat in America Goals: Transition to clean & affordable appliances EPA, USDA, state gov’ts help the transition Utilize incentives to speed up transition Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Typical (& Flawed) US Emission Chart PM2.5 levels from biomass stoves accurate Levels from fossil furnaces grossly underestimate emissions. Life-cycle, not just point of combustion emissions, must be accounted for. Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Incentives in Europe vs. the US Full report available at:

Recommendations Renewable Energy Incentives: Cleanest appliances should qualify for 30% tax credit like solar, wind and geothermal EPA’s New Source Performance Standards for wood burning appliances: Stricter and mandatory emission and efficiency standards are needed in America for all major wood burning appliances. Research & Development: EPA, USDA and DOE needs to start supporting research and development of next generation thermal biomass systems. States governments or legislators can consider measures such as Oregon and Washington have developed: banning installation of stoves made prior to 1990 and requiring removal of pre-1990 stove upon sale of home. Low Income Heating Assistance: LIHEAP programs should aggressively support change-outs of wood stoves for families on heating assistance. EPA, USDA and HHS collaboration could speed this up. Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at:

To find out more: Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options Full report available at: