Assembly hears proposal to raise wood-stove removal incentives; program approved by state and EPA

A borough environmental program presentation at the June 25 work session outlined proposed increases to reimbursement rates for the stove-removal and fuel‑conversion incentive programs.

Program staff told the assembly the borough requested approval from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase incentives across programs; staff said approvals were obtained. They said the adjustment raises many incentive amounts roughly 25% and expands eligible change-outs to include a broader range of oil‑to‑gas and wood‑stove removal combinations.

Staff said the borough currently administers multiple federal grant tags dating to 2016, 2018 and 2020 and that roughly $6.5–6.7 million is available under one set of tags, with about $12 million total remaining across programs. Staff reported the program has removed hundreds of high‑emission stoves since past incentive increases and that the larger payments are intended to offset rising replacement costs and encourage continued participation.

The presentation noted program rules continue to require deed restrictions on property where a removal incentive is accepted; staff said deed restrictions remain tied to the property. An assembly member disclosed an active application and a potential conflict of interest during the item; the assembly handled the disclosure as required by borough ethics rules. No ordinance vote occurred at the work session; the item remained before the assembly for further consideration.