The Province is expanding its wood stove exchange program which should mean good things for air quality in Prince George.
Eligible residents can apply for various cleaner options for different grant sizes. These include $250 for changing to a cleaner-burning wood stove and $400 for changing to a qualifying electric heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fueled stove.
For PG residents, though, PGAIR Manager Kim Menounos said you can actually get a few extra bucks through them.
“Where it says $250 we offer $500 and where it says up to $400 we offer $650.”
In an area like the northern capital, where air quality advisories are fairly common, this can greatly benefit the air we breathe. Menounos said this is especially important in the lower part of the bowl area where pollutants can get trapped.
“One of the biggest sources of that pollution is residential wood smoke. If you can reduce the amount of smoke that you’re emitting by improving your burning technique and improving your appliance, that can have a big impact.”
PGAIR received a total of $10,500 in funding.