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Major Projects

HPBA's Government Affairs Department is constantly promoting the industry through a rich variety of projects. Whether through the legislative process or our grassroots advocacy work, we work hard to get our members' voices heard. Below you will find some of our major projects that we have worked on, or currently developing. Make sure you visit this page often, as we are always developing new initiatives!

Tax Credit

The 2009 Economic Stimulus (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)legislation signed into law by President Obama includes a 30% tax credit (up to $1,500) for the purchase in 2009 and 2010 of a 75%-efficient biomass-burning stove as measured using a lower heating value.  The tax credit provisions are extended improvements of the legislation that passed in October 2008.  The major changes are an extension of the credit to 2010 and the increase on the credit from $300 to 30% of the total cost.

While the new tax credit takes effect immediately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not issued the guidelines for determining what stoves meet the efficiency requirements to qualify for the credit or how a manufacturer will qualify their products.  These guidelines are expected to be developed more specifically throughout 2009; however, the credit applies to all qualifying stoves sold in 2009. Once the IRS guidelines are formally issued, wood and pellet stove manufacturers will test their stoves and will notify their retailers about their models that qualify.

 

Wood Stove Changeout

The Libby, Montana changeout replaced or repaired 1,130 old, polluting stoves with new wood, pellet, gas or electric heating appliances. HPBA, its member companies, EPA and other Montana partners provided direct grants, equipment donations and in-kind support worth more than $2.5 million to finance the program.

Based on preliminary data, Libby residents are now breathing significantly cleaner air both outdoors and inside their homes. Average wintertime fine particulate levels in the outdoor air decreased by 28% in 2007 -- the first year following completion of the changeouts. The results are even more dramatic for indoor air quality with initial research by the University of Montana finding the air 72% cleaner inside homes with new, EPA certified stoves.

To help expand the changeout programs nationwide, Representative John Salazar (D-CO) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) have introduced the Clean Stove Act. This is a bipartisan bill that would authorize a $500 tax credit to consumers who replace old stoves with the new technology of EPA certified wood stoves.

 

EPA Voluntary Program

A new EPA Partnership Program, the "Voluntary Wood-Burning Fireplace Program," began on February 19, 2009. Due to the recent launch of this program, EPA has yet to populate it completely. HPBA is currently collaborating with the EPA on all three tiers of their program, listed below.

 

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

The USEPA's (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) is the program which governs emissions for wood burning appliances and is about to undergo its first revision in 20 years. Since this revision may impact all wood burning appliances, the HPBA Board of Directors has asked its members to partner with the association in the fight against results that would be potentially harmful for our industry. Our legal, research & development and legislative staff are working hard to influence USEPA's decision and outcome that would be salutary for our industry and our members. Our NSPS partners can enter our members only section to see the latest developments in this process HERE.

 

Government Affairs Academy

This annual academy is brought together by the Government Affairs staff and taught by both staff and Government Affairs Committee members. Our members and Affiliate staff from all over the United States come for a crash course in grassroots advocacy, lobbying and to learn the nuances of our industry. Our instructors teach how to interact with your elected leaders to press our industry agenda forward. We give you the tools to start your very own grassroots advocacy campaign!

 

The Green Movement

In recent years, there has been a movement towards more friendly environmental standards. This is commonly referred to as the "green" movement. HPBA works hard to remain on the cutting edge by promoting the development of  industry standards and codes that arebeneficial to both the environment and the consumer.

 

Responsible Wood Burning Education Campaign

It is important to know how to burn wood responsibly and correctly in a stove or fireplace.  Responsible wood burning will provide efficient and economical home heating — as well as reduce your home energy costs and protect your neighborhood air quality. Below are fact sheets on how to properly burn wood.

 

 

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