From anr.fpr-forestry-covid-19 at list.vermont.gov Tue Feb 2 09:45:04 2021 From: anr.fpr-forestry-covid-19 at list.vermont.gov (FPR FORESTRY COVID-19 Resource Listserv) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2021 14:45:04 +0000 Subject: Forest Economy Relief Programs Update Message-ID: Greetings Vermonters - We continue to field calls about potential state and federal pandemic economic relief packages and know that many forest businesses are concerned. We are actively monitoring for new relief packages, but currently, there is nothing new to share. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) maintains a list of available programs, and we encourage you to visit their website to learn about them. These programs include the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Small Business Association (SBA) Bridge Loans and Debt Relief. Sign up for their COVID-19 E-News to stay informed. We are eager to learn more about the $200 million allocated in the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 for logging and log trucking businesses that will be administered by the US Department of Agriculture. As soon as we have details, we'll share them. Below, you'll find information about upcoming webinars and new tax credits for high-efficiency wood heaters. Upcoming Webinars Woods Whys Webinars February 4, 2021 - 7:30 PM Register Here Woods Whys: An Exploration of Forests and Forestry, by Michael Snyder. When you find a great book, do you wish you could chat with the author? Now you can. Every first Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder will read and discuss one or more of the collected essays in his book. Whatever your level of experience, from novice to seasoned professional, you'll find Michael to be not only an exceptionally knowledgeable forester but also an engaging storyteller. Each essay aims to teach people more about trees, forests, and forest management, and by doing so, help them become more connected to the woods around them. Bring your own questions for an interactive reading celebrating the magic of forests. 1 CFE credit through SAF. Climate Adaptation in the Northeast's Forest Products Supply Chain February 19, 2021 - 3:00 - 4:00 PM Dr. Steven Bick, Northeast Forests, LLC Register Here In the Northeast, seasonal climate patterns influence timber harvest scheduling, logging equipment choices and mill procurement strategies. These practices have all shifted and adapted in response to gradual changes in seasonal temperatures and soil moisture patterns over time. In this 1-hour webinar, Dr. Bick will describe and explain climate change adaptations in the forest products supply chain by landowners, foresters, loggers, and mills. 1 CFE credit through SAF and 1 LEAP credit. Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing Series The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products Services Team will be hosting a series of free webinars on hardwood lumber manufacturing. This series is for small sawmills and new businesses interested in learning more about the hardwood lumber industry. Edging & Trimming Lumber February 16, 2021 - 7:00 pm CT Register Here You can lose significant lumber value and volume with improper edging and trimming. This presentation will dive into generally accepted best practices on how much wane to leave on your lumber. We will also highlight lumber measurement and industry terms and how they relate to manufacturing. Air Drying Lumber March 11, 2021 - 7:00 pm CT Register Here There are many benefits to drying lumber. This webinar is loaded with practical tips on how to best set up an air-drying yard. Reducing the moisture content through low-cost air drying is a great way to reduce kiln time and add value to your lumber. Items of Interest New Federal Tax Credit for High-Efficiency Wood Heaters As of January 1, 2021, residential wood heaters (stoves, furnaces, and boilers - all wood fuel types) with at least a 75% efficiency rating are eligible for a 26% Federal tax credit. The tax credit and all the rebates listed below *can* be combined. EPA Certified Stoves: * $500 point-of-purchase rebate through Efficiency Vermont, plus an additional $100 if you are turning in an older model. * $250 rebate for Washington Electric Coop members. * $150 bill credit for Vermont Electric Coop members (pellet only). * $150 rebate for Stowe Electric members (pellet only). Note: If you purchased an eligible new stove in 2020, you are still eligible for a $300 Federal tax credit. That has been replaced in 2021 by the 26% version. Pellet Boilers/Furnaces: * $3,000 from Efficiency Vermont * $3,000 from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) (accessed via Efficiency Vermont) * $1,000/$500 for Washington Electric Coop members for boilers/furnaces If you are currently heating with coal, there has never been a better time to make the switch. You can combine the tax credit and the above rebates with an additional special coal changeout adder from the CEDF of up to $7000 for residential projects. View the full list here. Questions? Email Emma.Hanson at vermont.gov Sincerely, Paul Frederick Forest Economy Program Manager You can subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation COVID-19 notifications mailing list here. You can reply to this email with questions, comments or concerns, or send an email to Forests.CovidResponse at vermont.gov [cid:image002.jpg at 01D6E410.AD466610] Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation One National Life Drive, Dewey 2 Montpelier, VT 05620-3801 www.vtforest.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1881 bytes Desc: image002.jpg URL: