WHIDBEY ISLAND — Kicking Gas, a Whidbey Island-based environmental justice organization, has expanded its efforts to electrify local homes by offering rebates for residents wanting to switch from gas to electric stoves.
In 2023, the group pushed its initial heat pump installation campaign as a way for people to decrease their carbon footprint. But in their third year of work, campaign managers have shifted to talking about the public health effects of burning fossil fuels in homes.
Gas stoves burn natural gas, emitting numerous harmful byproducts. One of those byproducts is nitrogen oxide. The Environmental Protection Agency has safety protections for limiting nitrogen oxide for outdoor emissions, but no indoor regulations.
A 1992 literature analysis by Environmental Protection Agency and Duke University scientists showed gas stoves increase the odds of children developing a respiratory illness by roughly 20%. A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found gas stoves are responsible for 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the United States.
“We don’t think about that in the home, but it could impact your child’s life for the long term,” Kicking Gas campaign manager Erika Lundahl said. “Being able to make those transitions possible for family households is a really big deal and really fulfilling for us.”
The organization has received funding through the state’s Climate Commitment Act to support efforts on Whidbey Island.
The money has allowed Kicking Gas staff to redirect their flagship funding from Washington State University to working with people in Snohomish County, campaign director Derek Hoshiko said.
For homes in Snohomish and Island counties, Kicking Gas offers $1,000 subsidies for switches to induction ranges and $500 for switches to electric ranges. For heat pumps, the group offers subsidies of 20% to 100%, up to $10,000.
Since launching in 2022, the group has offered 239 subsidies on heat pumps and stoves.
In October, Kicking Gas signed a contract to partner with the city of Bainbridge Island to launch a pilot heat subsidy program. Through the partnership, Bainbridge Islanders can install ductless heat pumps for 50% to 100% off costs, up to $10,000.
“We applaud the city of Bainbridge for doing that, and would love to keep building relationships with other cities in Snohomish County as they look toward how they’re going to be achieving their own climate action goals,” Lundahl said.
Kicking Gas is holding a virtual information session at 6 p.m. Wednesday for people interested in possibly switching their stoves or heating systems.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson. Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
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