HB 2261-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

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 under this act.

Finds that there are communities in the state which exceed the national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter 2.5, primarily due to wood smoke emissions. The current strategies are not sufficient to reduce wood smoke emissions to levels which comply with the federal standards or adequately protect public health. The legislature finds that it is in the state's interest and to the benefit of the people of the state to evaluate additional measures to reduce wood smoke emissions and update the state wood smoke control program.

Requires the department to convene and chair a work group to study the impacts of wood smoke from solid fuel burning devices on communities in Washington and make recommendations to the legislature on practical and cost-effective opportunities to reduce public health threats from exposure to wood smoke from solid fuel burning devices.

Requires recommendations to be presented to the governor and to the legislature no later than December 1, 2007.