HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2664

BYRepresentatives Sprenkle, Walker, D. Sommers, Schoon, Valle, Pruitt, G. Fisher, Phillips, Winsley and Wood

Changing restrictions on the use of solid fuel burning devices.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member; G. Fisher, Fraser, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle, Van Luven and Walker.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke and Phillips.

House Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7114)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Wood stoves sold after July 1, 1988, are required to be certified by the Department of Ecology.  Wood stoves are certified if they meet certain performance standards.

The Department of Ecology or a local air pollution control authority can initiate a period of impaired air quality when carbon monoxide or particulates emissions rise beyond a specified level. The use of fireplaces and non-certified wood stoves is banned during periods of impaired air quality.

Current law authorizes the Department of Ecology to ban the use of certified wood stoves during periods of impaired air quality if the department determines that they contribute to impaired air quality.  The department cannot make this determination until July 1, 1990.

Home heating systems emit widely varying levels of particulates depending on the type of system used.  Electric heating systems emit no particulates; gas heating systems emit 0.5 grams of particulates per hour. If properly operated, certified wood stoves emit approximately 7.5 grams/hour .  "Pellet stoves," wood stoves capable of burning pelletized wood, emit 1.0 to 2.0 grams/hour.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The use of wood stoves emitting particulates at a rate less than 1.5 grams per hour cannot be banned during periods of impaired air quality.  The date that the Department of Ecology can ban the use of certified wood stoves during periods of impaired air quality is extended one year to July 1, 1991.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute extends the date that the Department of Ecology can ban the use of certified stoves by one year.  The original bill did not extend the date.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jerry Whitfield.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Pellet stoves emit far less particulates than conventional wood stoves and should be allowed to burn when air quality is impaired.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.