Incentives

California is unique as it has 35 Air Districts that make policy and very little is done at the state level. Thus, there are virtually no statewide tax-credits or incentives. California also struggles with some of the worst wood smoke problems in the nation, mostly a result of weather patterns that create inversions and trap pollutants. Thus, in California, there has been very little interest in incentives other than change out programs, and there are many local change out programs and many local restrictions on wood burning.

One notable incentive program is the California First program, that makes pellet stoves and inserts eligible for low-interst loans which are paid back on your property tax bill over a long period time. This is a "PACE" program that is growing in many states.

California is an excellent case-study for the different approaches to wood heat policy. In the 2011 article below, the Alliance for Green Heat dissected the various laws and their permutations throughout California and highlighted many of the efforts to reduce harmful wood smoke.
Click here for the full paper.