Wood could be better

As our Person on the Street feature demonstrated last week, many Mainers have turned to burning wood to cope with rising heating oil costs.

Maybe there should be more of that, on a systemic level.

To be sure, there are some downsides to burning wood – particulates cause environmental concerns, and wood-burning systems come with an increased need for safe and responsible maintenance.

Despite this, wood makes more sense in Maine than many places. We remain one of the most heavily-forested, and least-populous states in the nation. In 50 years, no one knows whether oil will still be available at any price; long-promised breakthroughs in alternative energy may still not create affordable solar or wind power. But here in Maine, in 50 years, you can be sure that trees will still be growing, and landowners will still be harvesting them at a reasonable cost for heating purposes.

Most newly-built housing structures such as modular homes and multi-unit apartment buildings are tied to an expensive, oil-based heating system.

More wood-burning systems could be incorporated into homes and buildings being built or remodeled.

A wood-heating option could make the difference between being stuck, and being able to get ahead.

In addition, dollars would be shifted back toward the local economy.

A Paris philanthropist spent $1,000 last week to help buy oil for families that need the help. It's a wonderful gesture but donations of wood can be easier to come by than $1,000 checks. (That's the basis for the successful Firewood Project of the Oxford-based charitable organization, Dancing Trees.)

We need to lessen our dependence on heating oil.

We ask local lawmakers to encourage more wood-burning home heating systems in the region with, perhaps, incentives or tax credits and local contractors to encourage clients to see their value.

We need to lessen our dependence on costly and finite oil supplies and make sure everyone is able to stay warm.