January 12, 2009 Firewood demand soars in Vermont Play video

(Anya Huneke, NECN) – A Vermont firewood program is getting more interest than it has in decades, as people look for more affordable and renewable fuel sources.

In fact, the "wood warms" program may have to rely on a lottery system this year, since demand for wood is expected to exceed supply.

As the temperature goes down, Chris Cleary’s workload goes up. He heats his Jericho, Vermont, home with firewood alone-- wood he cuts himself.

Chris Cleary "It's a lot of work but I really enjoy it."

For the past four years, he's taken part in a state program that allows him to harvest his own firewood from state forests.

Chris "It's kind of sweat equity wood- you can work for it."

It's a program that was launched during the energy crisis of the 1970s- whose popularity waned, until recently, when fuel prices shot up once again.

Paul "I guess last summer was really when we saw a lot of interest, and we tried to get it back on track."

So- the state has redoubled its efforts to promote the "Wood Warms" firewood program-, which enables residents to purchase the rights to lots in state forests.

Each lot generates three cords of wood... And each cord - which individuals are responsible for cutting and hauling - sells for 10-dollars... Compared to two or three hundred dollars elsewhere.

Paul "It's certainly a lot of work that goes into getting the wood cut, split, and back to your home, but it's an economical

The state says it doesn't really profit from the program... but it *does* benefit. The trees that are cut down are carefully chosen- in a way that helps improve the overall health of the state's forests.

Paul "Weeding the garden is a good analogy for what we're trying to do."

The Vermont department of forest, parks, and recreation is also working with other state and local community action agencies to stockpile wood for low-income Vermonters- to help them manage their heating costs.

Many more Vermonters are relying on this renewable resource for fuel.

Paul "Even at a couple hundred dollars/cord- it's still a lot cheaper than fuel oil at 3-4 dollars/gallon."

And Chris Cleary takes pride in his wood supply-- displaying it in a dome shape outside his house.

Chris "It represents your whole winter- your happiness for the winter."

Happiness he and many other Vermonters worked hard to achieve.