NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say keeping warm will be more affordable and efficient as incentives for cleaner, healthier heating options roll out thanks to new funding from the BC New Democrat government.
“We want people to have safe, reliable means to be able to stay warm and cozy in their homes this winter,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “This funding for the Regional District of Nanaimo will help people to replace their wood-burning stoves with cleaner, safer options.”
The Nanaimo area will benefit from over $80,000 in funding for the Regional District of Nanaimo, including $10,300 for a Citizen Science project.
“When colder temperatures hit, everyone should have a reliable way of keeping their home warm. Helping people replace their wood-burning stoves with better alternatives is better for our environment and better for our health.” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan.
In partnership with the BC Lung Foundation, the Government of B.C. will provide nearly $240,000 in rebates in 2024 through the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program. This funding will help replace nearly 470 wood stoves with cleaner alternatives such as heat pumps or emissions-certified wood stoves.
This year people in First Nations communities can get up to $3,000 back for upgrading to a heat pump. Rebates for heat pumps in other participating communities have doubled since last year up to $2,000, based on each community’s air quality rating. Amounts for upgrading to an EPA or CSA emissions certified wood or pellet stove have also increased significantly for all participating communities.
Rebates have increased this year to ensure the program is saving people money in a time of increased global inflation. In addition to the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program, people in B.C. who heat their homes with fossil fuels can currently receive a combined rebate of up to $6,000 from BC Hydro and CleanBC to switch to an electric heat pump.
Learn More: For more information and to find out if you are eligible for a rebate (or for how much), visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0072-001971