SB 5745-S - DIGEST
(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/13/2007)

Provides that, until June 30, 2009, an authority comprised of one county east of the Cascade mountains with a population of equal to or greater than four hundred thousand people, may determine by rule an alternative ambient air level of fine particulates that defines when a first stage and when a second stage of impaired air quality exists.

Finds that there are communities in the state that may exceed recently adopted lower national ambient air quality standards for fine particulate and that wood smoke emissions from solid fuel burning devices are a source of fine particulate.

Directs the department of ecology to prepare a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2007, with recommendations that may include statutory or regulatory changes, incentives, and other strategies that will reduce wood smoke where it is likely to contribute to nonattainment with the new national ambient air quality standards for fine particulates in Washington state. In preparing its report, the department of ecology shall seek input from all regional air quality agencies, the state department of health, local health departments, and the hearth products industries.