We are active participants in this community-led effort to improve air quality by reducing wood smoke in the Columbia Valley urban growth area of Whatcom County.
Map of Columbia Valley Urban Growth Area
Woodstove Change-Out Program
This program helps residents in the Columbia Valley urban growth area of Whatcom County replace old woodstoves with new, certified woodstoves or heat pumps. It is open to Columbia Valley residents who heat with wood.
This Northwest Clean Air Agency program is funded, in part, with grants from the Washington Department of Ecology. We contract with the Opportunity Council to implement the change-out program. Puget Sound Energy is also a program partner.
How To Apply
There are two ways to qualify for the program:
If you qualify for the low-income weatherization program, based on the Washington State Department of Commerce low-income weatherization program client eligibility guidelines, you may be able to change out your old woodstove for a new, cleaner burning woodstove or efficient heat pump at no cost to you.
Call the Opportunity Council at 360-734-5121 ext. 155 to see if you qualify for energy assistance.
Be sure to mention that you want to participate in the Columbia Valley Woodstove Change-Out Program. The Opportunity Council will determine if you qualify for the weatherization program, as well as a new certified woodstove or ductless heat pump.
If you do not meet the Opportunity Council’s income eligibility guidelines and are interested in replacing your old wood heating appliance with an energy efficient heat pump or new, certified woodstove:
You will receive financial incentives through the Community Energy Challenge, PSE and the Northwest Clean Air Agency.
For additional information, please email Julie O’Shaughnessy with “Columbia Valley Woodstove Change-Out” in the subject line, or call her at 360-428-1617 ext. 210.
Woodsheds
Reducing smoke depends on dry firewood. If you don’t have a way to keep your firewood dry, you may qualify for a free woodshed. We paid for materials, local high school students volunteered to build them, and the fire district is helping to deliver them to people’s front doors. Fill out this application below to see if you qualify.