Continuation of qathet Regional District’s (qRD) wood stove replacement program for 2022 is being recommended.
At the December 9 committee of the whole meeting, directors reviewed a recommendation that the regional board offer rebates on a first-come, first-served basis for the exchange of uncertified wood stoves to certified appliances. This includes $400 for an EPA-certified wood stove, $550 for an EPA-certified pellet stove or electric fireplace insert and $750 for an electric heat pump.
In discussion on the recommendation, Electoral Area C director Clay Brander pointed out that a report from staff on the issue also brought up that the committee could recommend the board exclude fossil-fuelled appliances as acceptable replacement options in the rebate program. Brander made a motion to amend the motion before the committee regarding the rebates.
“If we’re trying to do a wood stove exchange program, we want to try and get away from our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Brander. “This will encourage people to go electric, I would think.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said the regional district would be excluding fossil fuel heat sources but would still allow EPA-certified wood stoves. He was told by chief administrative officer Al Radke that was correct.
The amendment motion carried.
Gisborne said the plan is to offer $750 for electric heat pumps. He asked if that includes air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.
Radke said to his knowledge, it includes both, but he would get back to Gisborne with clarification.
Gisborne said maybe in the future, there could be a higher rebate for ground source heat pumps because they do have a higher cost but they do have a greater efficiency rating.
The committee carried the main motion as amended.
The wood stove exchange program has been available to municipal and rural electoral area residents, and Tla’amin Nation citizens. The program has been administered in qRD since 2019.
In 2021, a total of $18,000 was available in rebates, including $3,500 carried over from the 2020 program year, according to a staff report. In 2021, in total, 40 old, inefficient wood burning units were removed and upgraded to cleaner burning appliances by residents, the report stated.
