Outdoor Boilers, other new regs, etc.

Here is part of a newsletter sent recently by our Trade Org......this gives some idea of the stuff that is constantly happening on a nationwide and regional basis. I'll have to find out more about this "voluntary" program for OWB. Why do I get the feeling that is means "voluntarily give money to the trade org for membership" or something like that? Oh, perhaps I am wrong!

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Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association · 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22209 · ph 703-522-0086 · www.hpba.org · [email protected]

February 2007 Vol. 10, No. 2

Outdoor Wood Furnace Partnership

A voluntary new partnership has just been finalized between the U.S. EPA and HPBA regarding outdoor wood-fired furnaces. The Phase I Partnership Agreement, announced January, 29, is an Incentivized Voluntary Program (IVP) to reduce emissions. The partnership is a result of more than two years of collaboration between EPA, HPBA, outdoor wood furnace manufacturers, state regulators, testing labs and other stakeholders. This effort, combined with proper installation and best burn practices, will provide consumers with cleaner heating appliances.

Calif.'s South Coast Air District Proposed Rule

The largest U.S. local air district, which covers the greater Los Angeles area, has recently released the first draft of their proposed rule regulating the sale and usage of woodburning fireplaces and stoves. On January 18, HPBA-Pacific's Steve Pulone and Kaity VanAmersfort joined John Crouch at a working group meeting in Diamond Bar, CA, to offer initial comments. The district contemplates the rule becoming effective in just 6 months following adoption this spring. The effect of the rule would eliminate all open fireplaces in new construction in the LA market. HPBA and HPBA-Pacific will file extensive comments. For information contact Steve Pulone, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected], or John Crouch, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected].

New Calif. Energy Commission Regs

On Jan. 23, HPBA Government Affairs Committee representatives met with California Energy Commission staff to discuss issues pertaining to the draft California 2008 Residential Energy Code and the use of wood and gas products. The issues discussed included prohibiting new appliances with standing pilot lights, distinguishing decorative from heater-rated products when developing minimal efficiency requirements, the use of EPA-certified woodburning fireplaces and the benefits of zone heating. For more information, contact John Crouch, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] or Tom Stroud, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]

They would have to adjust the EPA regs, since central heat uses more wood, therefore more allowable emissions. Also, there is no need for central heat to be able to turn down as low as regular stove - which have to burn at 10,000 BTU and still clean.

I will look into the Voluntary thing and report back with the actual numbers...if any!

Comparing it to other devices, can John Deere sell dirty tractors just because someone is using it on a large farm? Probably not. Or can they sell a dirty and inefficient oil or gas heater just because a house is not near others - definitely not.

This sounds like a sell-out to me! I will research further. Elk is right, if the industry does not handle it, the local boards of health will.

If a "loophole" is allowed to exist, it should be limited to "X" percentage of the units which a manufacturers makes or sells - or by numbers. For instance, you can sell up to 50 units/year of a stove model if it is not EPA approved.....

Remember that these things are being sold by the thousands. Probably 10's of thousands.

This is the main page to EPA links:
http://www.epa.gov/woodheaters/what_epa_doing.htm

BTW, the current stats show the following pollution levels:

161 grams per hour - existing units (this is the same as 50 woodstoves)

The EPA has talked about two levels of future cleanliness:
Phase I = about 43 Grams per hour
Phase II - about 15 Grams per hour

But this means nothing if not enforced or passed. The EPA says:
"This program will achieve emission reductions and protect public health sooner than a federal rule."

I think you and I can read through that one......

BUT, what might happen is that states, regions or towns will start ONLY allowing units which meet the regulations.

Surely a step in the right direction, but I think perhaps a cop-out in making every jurisdiction in the USA have to set their own code.