The Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality is working with Washington County, Oregon on a program offering financial incentives and technology to reduce particulate pollution from wood-burning stoves. Washington County families that rely on outdated wood-burning stoves are eligible to receive grants or partial rebates to upgrade to systems ranging from cleaner, modern wood stoves to gas or electric heating. The program aims to replace 700 stoves over five years.
In a related effort, Washington County uses email and text alerts to notify residents when air quality conditions restrict or prohibit wood burning. The program has implications for the entire Portland region as local violations of federal air-quality standards can trigger region-wide restrictions on new industrial development.
