Woodsmoke Reduction Program

Applications are currently being accepted!

2023 Woodsmoke Reduction Application.pdf

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program (Program) is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Program is designed to help households replace an uncertified wood stove or insert used as a primary source of heat with a cleaner-burning and more efficient certified device.

To be eligible for the Program, an applicant must be using an uncertified woodstove or wood insert as a primary heat source. The incentive amount will depend on where the property is located and the applicant’s household income. The replacement device must be installed by a professional licensed installer and meet local fire and building codes. To ensure that the reductions in emissions are permanent, any device removed through the Program must be rendered permanently inoperable and recycled. The Program provides incentives for one replacement per household and is available to both homeowners and renters.

Retroactive rebates are NOT available under the Program, so applicants who remove the old device or purchase a new replacement device prior to being approved will be disqualified.

Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts 

Woodsmoke Reduction Program:

The Program provides Standard Vouchers ($1,000) and Enhanced Vouchers ($3,500) to eligible applicants toward the purchase (including installation and certain other related costs) of an EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert (wood, pellet, or electric) to replace an existing uncertified woodstove or insert. 

To qualify for a rebate voucher, the homeowner must complete the application linked below. Applications for rebate vouchers will be accepted until program funds are depleted. 

The Standard Voucher is valued at $1,000. Please keep in mind that this voucher amount will not cover the entire cost of the new EPA certified devise, installation, required building permit and any code upgrades that may be required. The Enhanced Voucher is valued at $3,500. 

Every Applicant using an uncertified wood stove or fireplace as a primary source of heat for their home qualifies for a Standard Incentive without any need for income verification. To qualify for the higher Enhanced Incentive, the Applicant must reside on tribal land or in a disadvantaged or a low-income community or demonstrate a household income not exceeding a low-income threshold specified below. Income verification will not be required for Applicants residing on tribal lands or in disadvantage or low-income communities.

Applicants residing outside of disadvantaged and low-income communities and Tribal lands wishing to be considered for Enhanced Incentives are required to demonstrate that their household income does not exceed one of the following thresholds:

1. 80% of the Statewide Median Household Income or,
2. County-specific California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) low income limits

HUD FY2023 Income Limits Documentation System Chart

For purposes of the Program, there are multiple methods to demonstrate household income eligibility. Applicants may demonstrate eligibility by presenting pay stubs or tax returns for each person living in the residence to District staff for verification and, if qualifying with the HCD low-income limits, reporting the number of people in the household.

Eligibility may also be established through proof of participation in an existing federal or State low-income assistance program, several examples of which are listed below. In cases where an Applicant chooses to demonstrate eligibility through participation in an alternate low-income program, Districts will work with CARB staff to verify that the alternate program’s income limits do not exceed Enhanced Incentive income limits for their area.  

Examples of Federal/State Low-Income Assistance Programs:

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
3. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program with a participating California utility company

To verify if your property falls within a disadvantage community, low-income community or on Tribal lands please utilize the 2023 California Climate Investments Priority Population Map .

Application Material:

• 2023 Woodsmoke Reduction Application.pdf

Application Material:

• Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Woodsmoke Reduction Guidelines

Separated Application Forms:

• Voucher Application Checklist
• Voucher Application
• Voucher Example
• Retailer Packet Checklist
• Voucher Tracking Form
• Recycler Certification Form
• Acknowledgement of Training Form
• Owner Tenant Agreement
• Retailer Agreement