If you have a wood stove and want to make the switch to cleaner-burning, you could be eligible for a rebate.
The provincial program, administered by Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable, is back for 2021 where residents are encouraged to exchange older, smoky wood-burning appliances for lower emission appliances which include gas, pellet and EPA-certified clean-burning wood stoves or insets.
"Residential wood burning is a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM) in BC, including Prince George," a statement from The Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable says.
"Aimed at improving community air quality and achieving reductions in particulate matter, this program helps create awareness about the health impacts of wood smoke by providing education on clean-burning techniques through workshops, pamphlets, websites, and social media."
Residents of Prince George and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George could be eligible to trade in their old wood stove for a more environmental option and receive a rebate up to $650.
Residents in Mackenzie, McBride, and Valemount are not eligible.
"Fuel Burning Appliance Permit through the Regional District are eligible to have their permit fee waived," the announcement adds.
The initiative is a partnership alongside the BC Lung Association and the province.
The program has run for over 10 years in the Prince George airshed, exchanging over 340 old stoves, and removing an estimated 30 tonnes of particulate matter (PM) emissions from the airshed each year
Details on the PGAIR Wood stove exchange and BC Wood stove Exchange Program program are available online.
