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As a local leader, you want nothing but the best for your
community, and cleaner air is no exception. Today, a number of communities
throughout the U.S. fail to meet government air quality standards for
particulates (soot and dust) and are required to find ways to reduce emissions
to bring the area into compliance or face stiff economic penalties.
If you live in an area where particulates are a problem,
your community may be a candidate for a wood stove changeout program. Wood stove
changeouts can significantly reduce levels of harmful emissions, but only if
conditions are right. With the help of this tool kit, you can determine whether
your community is a candidate for a changeout, and if so, how you can start a
program and claim credit in your state’s clean air plan.
Conducting a wood stove changeout campaign is a multi-year
commitment that requires community-wide leadership and support. By using this
tool kit as a roadmap for your changeout you can make a difference and improve
air quality in your area thanks to today's cleaner burning, more energy
efficient hearth products.
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The House of Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191. The Senate
must now consider their version of the Farm Bill. The 2002 Farm Bill expires on
September 30, 2007. The main issue for HPBA in the Farm Bill is the Community
Wood Energy Program. This program authorizes a grant program for state and
local governments and communities to use low-grade wood biomass in community
wood energy systems for state and locally owned businesses such as schools, town
halls, and courthouses. This is another issue HPBA will be supporting and
advocating for in the U.S. Senate.
Other issues of importance in the
Farm Bill for HPBA members are more secondary in nature. There are definitions
of biomass which include wood and wood pellets. This is an important first step
to allowing our industry to partake in additional areas of assistance. The Farm
Bill also protect and sustains our nation’s forest resources and makes important
new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in
rural America.
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There has been a flurry of action on energy legislation in the U.S. Congress.
The Senate version of a comprehensive energy bill (CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 – H.R. 6) passed the Senate on June
21, 2007. It did not include an energy tax provision. The House of
Representatives passed their version of the energy bill (New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and
Consumer Protection Act – H.R. 3221) on August 4, 2007. The House energy
tax bill was added to this legislation as well. Issues in this bill important
to HPBA are:
Qualified Energy Efficiency Assistance Bonds – This provision
would create a new category of tax credit bonds to provide states with funds to
implement long-term programs that will provide consumers with low-interest loans
and grants for energy-efficient property and efficiency improvements to existing
homes. We were not included in the first version; attempts are being made to
include our industry.
Grant Program – This provision would require the Secretary of
Energy to establish a grant program for universities to research and develop
renewable energy technologies. Priority is given to universities in low income
and rural communities with proximity to trees dying of disease or insect
infestation.
RESA Study – Language was included directing the Secretary of
Energy to conduct a study of the renewable energy system rebate program for
homes and small businesses, described in section 206-c of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005. The study would require a plan for the program if it were funded, and
determine the minimum amount the program would need to be viable.
Regional
Standards – A negative item included in both energy bills is a provision
would allow the Secretary of Energy to establish regional standards for space
heating and air conditioning products. Follow the link to a side-by-side
comparison of the language in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate energy
bills.
When the Congress reconvenes after the August recess a conference
committee will be convened to merge the U.S. Senate and U.S. House energy bills
into one. This process is fluid and there are still opportunities to address
these issues.
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On May 25, 2007, the President signed into law a supplemental
appropriations
bill (H.R. 2206, P.L. 110-28) which included an increase in
the federal minimum wage. The increase was included in the Iraq war funding
bill. Under the act, the federal minimum wage has already increased to $5.85 an
hour; it increases to $6.55 one year later; and to $7.25 a year after that.
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