Vt. gov endorses changing from oil to pellet heat
By: DAVE GRAM
The Associated Press
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said Tuesday he has asked the state Department of Public Service and the statewide energy conservation program Efficiency Vermont to set up a new incentive program to get people to switch from heating with oil to wood pellets.
Homeowners already are eligible for a $500 state incentive when they switch from older, less efficient heaters that use fossil fuels like oil or kerosene, said Elizabeth Miller, commissioner of the Department of Public Service. The new program would provide the same incentive for people who want to switch out their oil burners for wood pellet systems.
Shumlin said he’s trying to reduce reliance on foreign oil, promote job growth among Vermont foresters and wood pellet mill workers, and get people to use a fuel that’s less damaging to the environment. He said he also wants to boost employment opportunities at firms that manufacture pellet burner components.
