Woodstove and Fireplace Rule Changes

Woodstove and Fireplace Rule Changes - 2007

DISTRICT BOARD TO CONSIDER RULE AMENDMENTS FOR WOOD STOVES DEC. 13, TWO PUBLIC WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD NOV. 19 ON PROPOSAL TO PHASE OUT USE OF NON-CERTIFIED WOODBURNING APPLIANCES

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is looking at requiring wood-burning appliances, such as wood stoves and fireplaces, installed in new construction throughout the county to meet air-pollution standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposed rule amendments are part of a drive by the District to reduce particulate matter emissions from wood stoves and other wood-burning appliances.

Under the proposed amendments being considered by the District, only EPA Phase II certified appliances could be installed in new construction. In addition, the District will require non-certified free standing wood stoves to be replaced, rendered inoperable, or removed when properties are sold. The District is proposing to delay enforcing this condition for four years. In the meantime, it will offer incentives for residents to upgrade non-certified appliances with models that meet EPA Phase II standards. The District is not considering wood-burning restrictions or bans on burning during nights when the air quality is poor. Instead, it is proposing an approach aimed at phasing out the use of old appliances that do not meet EPA standards.

The proposed rule amendments seek to make the public aware of the economic and health benefits associated with certified appliances, and to require the most efficient technologies available when appliances are sold or installed.

The District’s Board of Directors will consider adopting the proposed rule amendments at a public hearing.

Date:           Thursday, December 13, 2007
Time:            2:30 pm
Location:      The Domes
                     Board of Supervisors' Chamber
                     175 Fulweiler Ave.
                     Auburn, CA 95603

District staff will hold two public workshops in Auburn on Monday, Nov. 19 to discuss the proposed rule changes.

Date:            Monday, November 19, 2007
Time:            3:30 pm - 5:00 pm                             5:30 pm  – 7:00 pm
Location:      Community Development Resource Agency
                     Cypress Room
                     3091 County Center Drive
                     Auburn, CA 95603

The headquarters building is located in the DeWitt Center in North Auburn near the intersection of Bell Road and Richardson Drive.

The District already has held multiple workshops in Auburn (September 5, 2007) and Rocklin (September 10, 2007) on its proposed rule amendments, and has incorporated some of the feedback it received into the latest version of the draft rule.

The District’s existing wood fired appliances rule currently applies to the Squaw Valley area only. Smoke impacts however, have local as well as regional impacts, which is why the District is proposing to expand the rule to be County-wide.

Wood-burning appliances account for approximately half of all particulate-matter emissions generated in the winter, or about 6.5 tons of emissions daily within Placer County. Wood smoke can lodge deep in the lungs, contributing to cancer and lung diseases, especially in small children and the elderly. Smoke from wood-burning appliances such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and inserts can also be a neighborhood nuisance when not operated properly or when they are not EPA-certified models.

Certified appliances can improve heating efficiency by 80 percent. That means fewer trips to the wood pile on cold rainy days, and fuel-cost savings.

Most of the old non-certified wood-burning appliances now in use were installed before EPA introduced its current certification standards in 1992.

Local wood-stove retailers have been primarily selling EPA-certified wood stoves for years. Certified appliances can easily be identified by a label located on the back that states they have been certified by the EPA.

Along with the proposed amendments, the District plans to offer a County-wide wood stove incentive program. The incentive program will begin in 2008. Residents considering upgrading an open hearth fireplace by adding an insert, or an old non-certified wood stove should seriously consider taking advantage of the upcoming incentive program. Details will be available on the District’s website early next year.

The current draft of the rule is below along with frequently asked questions.

Proposed Rule 225 for Board Meeting on December 13, 2007

Staff Report for Board Meeting on December 13, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

PREVIOUS DRAFT VERSIONS

Revised Strikethrough Version of Rule 225 (November 14, 2007) replaced by the December 13, 2007 proposed version

Draft Strikethrough Verision Rule 225 (August 29, 2007) replaced by the November 14, 2007 revision

Written comments may be submitted through Nov. 30 by e-mail to hkuklo@placer.ca.gov or by fax at (530) 745-2373.

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	Woodstove and Fireplace Rule Changes - 2007 DISTRICT BOARD TO CONSIDER RULE AMENDMENTS FOR WOOD STOVES DEC. 13, TWO PUBLIC WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD NOV. 19 ON PROPOSAL TO PHASE OUT USE OF NON-CERTIFIED WOODBURNING APPLIANCES The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is looking at requiring wood-burning appliances, such as wood stoves and fireplaces, installed in new construction throughout the county to meet air-pollution standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposed rule amendments are part of a drive by the District to reduce particulate matter emissions from wood stoves and other wood-burning appliances. Under the proposed amendments being considered by the District, only EPA Phase II certified appliances could be installed in new construction. In addition, the District will require non-certified free standing wood stoves to be replaced, rendered inoperable, or removed when properties are sold. The District is proposing to delay enforcing this condition for four years. In the meantime, it will offer incentives for residents to upgrade non-certified appliances with models that meet EPA Phase II standards. The District is not considering wood-burning restrictions or bans on burning during nights when the air quality is poor. Instead, it is proposing an approach aimed at phasing out the use of old appliances that do not meet EPA standards. The proposed rule amendments seek to make the public aware of the economic and health benefits associated with certified appliances, and to require the most efficient technologies available when appliances are sold or installed. The District’s Board of Directors will consider adopting the proposed rule amendments at a public hearing. Date: Thursday, December 13, 2007 Time: 2:30 pm Location: The Domes Board of Supervisors' Chamber 175 Fulweiler Ave. Auburn, CA 95603 District staff will hold two public workshops in Auburn on Monday, Nov. 19 to discuss the proposed rule changes. Date: Monday, November 19, 2007 Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Community Development Resource Agency Cypress Room 3091 County Center Drive Auburn, CA 95603 The headquarters building is located in the DeWitt Center in North Auburn near the intersection of Bell Road and Richardson Drive. The District already has held multiple workshops in Auburn (September 5, 2007) and Rocklin (September 10, 2007) on its proposed rule amendments, and has incorporated some of the feedback it received into the latest version of the draft rule. The District’s existing wood fired appliances rule currently applies to the Squaw Valley area only. Smoke impacts however, have local as well as regional impacts, which is why the District is proposing to expand the rule to be County-wide. Wood-burning appliances account for approximately half of all particulate-matter emissions generated in the winter, or about 6.5 tons of emissions daily within Placer County. Wood smoke can lodge deep in the lungs, contributing to cancer and lung diseases, especially in small children and the elderly. Smoke from wood-burning appliances such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and inserts can also be a neighborhood nuisance when not operated properly or when they are not EPA-certified models. Certified appliances can improve heating efficiency by 80 percent. That means fewer trips to the wood pile on cold rainy days, and fuel-cost savings. Most of the old non-certified wood-burning appliances now in use were installed before EPA introduced its current certification standards in 1992. Local wood-stove retailers have been primarily selling EPA-certified wood stoves for years. Certified appliances can easily be identified by a label located on the back that states they have been certified by the EPA. Along with the proposed amendments, the District plans to offer a County-wide wood stove incentive program. The incentive program will begin in 2008. Residents considering upgrading an open hearth fireplace by adding an insert, or an old non-certified wood stove should seriously consider taking advantage of the upcoming incentive program. Details will be available on the District’s website early next year. The current draft of the rule is below along with frequently asked questions. Proposed Rule 225 for Board Meeting on December 13, 2007 Staff Report for Board Meeting on December 13, 2007 Frequently Asked Questions PREVIOUS DRAFT VERSIONS Revised Strikethrough Version of Rule 225 (November 14, 2007) replaced by the December 13, 2007 proposed version Draft Strikethrough Verision Rule 225 (August 29, 2007) replaced by the November 14, 2007 revision Written comments may be submitted through Nov. 30 by e-mail to hkuklo@placer.ca.gov or by fax at (530) 745-2373.