As wood stoves are turned on for the winter, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has received funding for its wood stove exchange program.
The Ministry of Environment has provided $10,500 to the RDKB Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program to help encourage residents to replace old wood stoves with cleaner burning models.
RDKB Woodstove Exchange program co-ordinator John Vere noted the funding would be shared throughout the district.
“There is funding for 30 stoves (at $250 for each grant totaling $7,500) to be shared throughout the RDKB,” he said. “The balance of $3,000 is for administration, education and advertising.”
The RDKB is one of 14 communities and regional districts to receive the funding, and the Ministry of Environment hopes to exchange around 700 stoves in 2013.
Minister of Environment Terry Lake stated in a press release that the government is committed to reducing the number of old, inefficient wood stoves in the provinces.
“By upgrading to a new stove and following the tips to burn smarter, British Columbians can ensure better air quality in their communities and a more positive effect on their own health,” said Lake.
For this year, Vere noted there are only four grants left.
“The grants will be gone very soon,” he said. “Next year, the program will run in March/April and then in October /November 2013. Grant checks, however, will only be issued in those four months.”
Residents with questions can contact Vere or can submit their applications for a replacement year round, Vere pointed out.
Vere also hosts workshops to explain the differences in wood stoves and the benefits of exchanging an old model to a cleaner, efficient wood stove.
For more information, visit Vere’s website cactusmusic.ca/exchange_program.htm.