The provincial government, in partnership with the BC Lung Association, is providing $15,500 to the Regional District of Central Kootenay as part of a provincial wood stove exchange program.
British Columbians are firing up their old wood stoves as the cold, still nights of winter begin.
Unfortunately, this leads to increased air pollution and air quality advisories as the smoke may be trapped near the ground in this type of weather.
This results in certain areas of the province seeing more air quality advisories in colder months.
The exchange program provides a $250 rebate when a new wood- burning, pellet or natural gas stove is purchased to replace an older model. New emissions-certified wood stoves burn one-third less wood and reduce smoke and particulates entering the atmosphere by 70 per cent or more.
Last year, nearly 600 stoves were exchanged throughout the province and the goal is to have a similar number exchanged in 2017.
Since 2008, communities have received almost $2.7 million in provincial funding and more than 7000 wood-burning stoves and inserts have been replaced by newer, cleaner burning models, resulting in the reduction of approximately 500 tonnes of particulate matter emissions entering the air each year.
The BC Lung Association administers the wood stove exchange program on behalf of the province and provides educational materials and support to participating communities.