SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 16

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Grimm, Walker, Rust, Allen, Jacobsen, Winsley, Brekke, Locke, Unsoeld and Belcher)

Regulating wood stoves emissions.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Bluechel, Hansen, Kiskaddon.

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

                  March 30, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In the late 1970s, wood heating became very popular, primarily due to the "oil crisis" which raised heating costs substantially.  It has been estimated that prior to that time, only about 2 percent of Washington's residents used wood as a primary heating source.  A 1980 survey showed that more than 10 percent of the state's population used wood as their sole form of heat.  Based on the pace of woodstove sales and installations in the state, it is believed that figure will steadily increase.

There is concern that this trend is creating poor air quality in many residential areas in the state.  Studies conducted by state and federal agencies indicate that wood smoke contains some toxic substances and greater amounts of fine particle matter than industrial smoke or smoke from transportation sources.

Certain stoves are designed to burn more efficiently than others and insure that most of the gases and fine particles are consumed by the flame.  Several local governments throughout the country and some in the state have adopted ordinances prohibiting inefficient stoves from being sold in their jurisdictions. Oregon and Colorado allow only clean-burning stoves to be sold within their borders.  Also, the Environmental Protection Agency has indicated it will adopt regulations to control wood burning stove emissions.

SUMMARY:

By January 1, 1988, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) shall establish: 1) statewide emission performance standards for new wood stoves; 2) a program to approve wood stoves that meet the emission performance standards; and 3) statewide opacity levels for education and enforcement. Opacity levels shall be set at:  twenty percent for educational purposes, 40 percent for enforcement purposes until July 1, 1990, and 20 percent for enforcement after July 1, 1990.

Any residence or commercial establishment which does not have an adequate source of heat without burning wood is exempt from curtailment provisions.  All wood stoves and fireplaces must curtail burning during "air pollution episodes" called by Ecology.  Certified wood stoves are exempt from "impaired air quality" curtailment provisions called by local authorities or Ecology.  Reevaluation of this exemption may occur after July 1, 1990.

Ecology shall establish a public education program to educate the public and wood stove dealers about the effects of wood stove emissions, methods of achieving better emission performance, the benefits of replacing inefficient wood stoves, and wood stoves that have been approved by the department.  The education program shall be funded by a flat fee not to exceed five dollars on the retail sale of new wood stoves.  An advisory committee is established to assist the department in setting the fee, designing the education program, and participating in the development of wood stove regulation.

After January 1, 1988, it is unlawful to sell, offer to sell, or knowingly advertise to sell a new wood stove in Washington that has not been approved by the department.  Violations are subject to the penalties of the clean air act.

Unless allowed by rule, the following materials shall not be burned in any residential solid fuel burning device:  garbage, treated wood, plastics, rubber products, animals, asphaltic products, waste petroleum products, paints, or any substance, other than properly seasoned wood, which normally emits dense smoke or obnoxious odors.  Unless allowed by rule, coal shall not be burned except in a coal fired furnace not designed for manual fueling that is the sole source of heat in an establishment and is installed before the effective date of this act.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: No one