Yesterday, a new opportunity for biomass heating in New York State was announced by Governor Cuomo, Renewable Heat NY: The Low-Emission Biomass Heating Initiative. This is the first initiative at the state level, in New York, specifically focused on getting consumers off fossil fuel heating and promoting a local, renewable source of heat -- biomass.
Jim Waters, Executive Director of The Catskill Forest Association, was pleased with the announcement and went on to explain, "Renewable Heat NY will give the forest landowner as well as the Catskill Region’s consumers of heat, a much needed boost, while at the same time spurring local economic activity and offering Catskill communities real savings and security. Seventy-eight cents of every dollar spent on heating oil leaves the state; with biomass heating, fuel dollars remain in the area, recirculating in local and regional economies." He went on to explain, “Forest owners will gain a much needed market for their low-value trees enabling them to better manage their forest for all of its benefits. This may be the needed support to get Fleischmanns’ District Heating Project off the ground!”
The Governor's announcement highlights the benefits of converting to biomass at the residential and larger scales, citing New York's biomass resources, affordability and local dollars staying in local communities. The initiative includes, among other strategies, raising consumer awareness, identifying and converting larger-scale anchor customers, a policy roadmap for accelerating the use of high-efficiency/low emissions biomass heating technologies, and accessing financing mechanisms through the New York Power Authority Build Smart NY Initiative for state and municipal-owned buildings.
The further details can be read in Governor Cuomo's 2014 State of the State Book, pages 66 - 69, here.
