Burning wood for heat poses risks to people and environment OLYMPIA - As temperatures drop and winter closes in, many Washington residents will turn to wood stoves, fireplaces and other wood-burning devices to heat their homes.
Burning wood can be a cheap way to heat your home, if done right. But poor burning habits and old, inefficient devices produce large amounts of wood smoke - one of the most serious air pollution problems in Washington. Wood stoves, fireplaces and other wood-burning devices put out hundreds of times more air pollution than other heating sources such as natural gas or electricity, according to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. People with asthma and respiratory illnesses, children and older adults are most at risk.
Studies show that people who heat their homes with wood have more breathing problems than those who don’t. Smoke particles also invade neighboring homes. Research shows that children in wood-burning neighborhoods are more likely to have lung and breathing problems.
Ecology and local clean air agencies try to curb wood-smoke pollution using burn bans, education and programs that pay part of the cost of new, cleaner-burning home-heating devices. For example, Ecology recently provided nearly $1 million in grant money to local clean air agencies for such change-out programs.
Source: Washington Department of Ecology
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES FIRST RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX ABATEMENT
Construction and facility jobs will be created Carson City - Governor Jim Gibbons today announced a major step in the future of renewable energy in Nevada. Nevada Energy Commissioner Dr. Hatice Gecol has awarded the first renewable energy tax abatements of $10.4 million to Ormat Technologies, Inc., a Reno-based Corporation. The award will allow the ....
Carbon Sequestration Working Group to meet
Casper, Wyo. - On, Thursday, Aug 14, 2008, the Carbon Sequestration Working
Group will meet in Casper to discuss existing financial assurance and bonding
procedures.
Presentations will be given on financial assurance procedures for mining,
environmental clean ups ....
