The East Kootenay Woodstove Exchange for spring 2010 begins on March 1, 2010.

A partnership between Wildsight the RDEK and East Kootenay municipalities, the program provides cash rebates for the exchange of an old uncertified wood stove for a newer, cleaner burning, EPA or CSA certified wood, pellet, or gas heating appliance. You must also dispose of your old appliance at RDEK transfer station.

Rebates of $250 from the provincial government and $350 from either the RDEK or your municipality make this a very attractive program, says coordinator Erna Jensen-Shill.

Add to that that this is the last year for provincial funding and Jensen-Shill expects all 80 rebates available in the region to go.

The program lasts until the rebates run out, so if you were thinking of a new stove, now is the time.

Most municipalities and the RDEK will also waive building permit fees for installation of the new stoves.

Participating retailers will also offer discounts of up to $150 between March 1 and April 30, 2010.

Those retailers are Advanced Wood Burning Stoves Ltd. – Kimberley; C & M Fireplace, Cranbrook; Diamond Heating and Spas Ltd. - Invermere; Fernie Home Hardware - Downtown; Fernie Home Building Centre; The Fireplace – Cranbrook; Invermere Home Hardware ; Old Tyme Spa & Flame Ltd.; Home Hardware Building Centre – Cranbrook.

For more detailed information, contact your local municipality, RDEK, or Program Coordinator at Erna Jensen-Shill by phone 250.427.9360 or e-mail woodstoveexchange@wildsight.ca