Fraser Valley/Victoria – Santa could have less soot to contend with in 15 BC communities this Christmas.
Those communities along with the FVRD- Fraser Valley Regional District are receiving funding from this year’s wood stove exchange program, which helps people replace old, smoky woodstoves with cleaner burning models.
Eligible British Columbians can apply for the following incentives:
* $250 for changing to a cleaner-burning wood stove;
* $400 for changing to a qualifying electric heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove; and
* $500 for those who live in “Red Zone” communities, which are areas where fine particulate matter exceeds the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards. Residents there can use the money to change to a heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove.
The annual program has helped replace more than 8,000 old stoves with cleaner options. Since 2008, the Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program has provided more than $3 million. This year’s fund will distribute $300,000 through the British Columbia Lung Association, which also educates the public about alternatives to wood stoves.
The Fraser Valley Regional District has sufficient funds from previous years to continue offering rebates.
