July 22, 2008

Dear Vermont Resident,

As Vermont approaches the coming heating season, many families are scared about how they will heat their homes. It is the goal of the Vermont Sustainable Heating Initiative (VSHI) to transition such families to solid biomass heating sources. Making a switch from oil to biomass is grounds for a carbon offset, and so we are hoping that you will purchase your carbon offsets this year through our Vermont-based carbon offset program.

Your money will help low income Vermont families acquire pellet stoves through a no-interest loan. Families will be chosen through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded program that helps families purchase fuel. By providing the upfront capital required to purchase a pellet stove, LIHEAP money will then be used purchase less expensive pellet fuel, thus allowing LIHEAP to help more families.

Our calculations show that Vermont will be able to heat itself without cutting into food production if we employ Vermont’s underutilized agricultural land in growing prairie grasses, which is why it is our goal to provide stoves that can handle multiple types of pelletized fuel, including grass pellets.

We are currently selling Carbon Offsets for $12/ton, which is competitive with other carbon offset providers, but any tax-deductible donation is greatly appreciated.

Average residential use data for one year

Emission source    Amount of CO2    Cost at $12/ton

Small vehicle      4 tons     $48

Large vehicle     8 tons     $96

Electricity use    8 tons     $96

Home Heating    5 tons     $60

$4,000 is enough for a new stove

$800 is enough fuel for a typical heating season

$500 covers a professional installation of the stove

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Vermont Sustainable Heating Initiative. It will strengthen the Vermont economy as well as prevent greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.  

For details about the no-interest loan to families, to apply for our funding, and our carbon calculator, and more please see our website: http://www.sustainableheatingvt.org/

Many thanks,

The Vermont Sustainable Heating Initiative