PRESS RELEASE: USDA Forest Service makes investment in firewood banks

Funding targeted for firewood banks who source wood from federal land

The USDA Forest Service awarded $1.4 million to the Alliance for Green Heat (AGH) to expand firewood banks in the United States. AGH, a national non-profit, will distribute the funds to firewood banks to help communities acquire and process low-grade wood from federal lands for residential heating.

Firewood is one of America’s original, domestic fuels that is still heavily relied on by many rural communities. This grant will connect rural communities with forested land that is being actively managed to reduce fire risk and improve forest health. Funds can be used by firewood banks, non-profits, tribes and local governments.

“Firewood banks provide both renewable wood energy to households and a critical outlet for small diameter timber from active forest management. The Forest Service is proud to continue to partner with the Alliance for Green Heat to deliver life-saving heat to rural communities through the firewood bank grant program," said Brian Brashaw, Assistant Director, Wood Innovation, USDA Forest Service.

This is the fourth year that the USDA Forest Service has followed through on a Congressional line item to help scale up the nation’s firewood banks. There are hundreds of firewood banks in the United States that help households who have high energy burdens. During the first three years of this program, the Alliance for Green Heat provided grants of up to $20,000 to 129 firewood programs. This year, grants will be up $50,000 to enable programs to acquire more wood and larger processing equipment.

More detailed information about eligibility and how to apply will be available by September 1 at www.firewoodbanks.org and www.forgreenheat.org and applications can be submitted as of Sept. 15. An informational webinar reviewing the application details where participants can ask questions will be held on September 11. Registration for the webinar is open now.

“USDA support for firewood use is especially important to help build strategies and awareness of using seasoned wood and the vital role that wood stove change-out programs play in under-served communities where wood stoves are frequently old and poorly installed,” said John Ackerly, President of AGH.

With high electricity and propane prices, firewood banks are a significant support system for rural citizens that don’t have access to affordable heat. Nationally, more than one in ten homes use firewood or wood pellets as a primary or secondary heat source. In some states more than 4 in 10 homes heat use firewood or wood pellets as a primary or secondary heat source. Accessing firewood on federal land is key in relieving heat insecurity in many rural communities and it can help reduce fire risks around populated areas.

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The Alliance for Green Heat promotes modern wood and pellet heating systems as a low-carbon, sustainable and affordable energy solution. The Alliance works to advance cleaner and more efficient residential heating technology, particularly for low and middle-income families. Founded in Maryland in 2009, the Alliance is an independent non-profit organization and is tax-exempt under section 501c3 of the tax code.