HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6698

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, DeJarnatt, Nelson, Sutherland, Barr, Bauer, Bluechel, Stratton, Patterson, Hansen, Anderson, Madsen, Bailey, McCaslin, Owen, Conner and Benitz)

Imposing a fee on the sale of solid fuel burning devices.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (12)

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

House Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7114)

Rereferred House Committee on Revenue

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Revenue and without amendment by Committee on Environmental Affairs.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Fraser, Fuhrman, Grant, Morris, Phillips, Rust, Silver and H. Sommers.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Basich.

House Staff:      Robin Appleford (786-7093)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

As of July 1, 1988, new wood stoves sold in the state must be certified by the Department of Ecology by meeting certain performance standards, and new wood stoves are subject to a $5 fee imposed by the state.  The fees are to be used for public education regarding the use of wood stoves.

Air pollution episodes are initiated by the Department of Ecology when large air masses cause the air to become stagnant, thereby trapping air pollutants close to the ground.  Air pollution episodes consist of four stages of increasing severity.  The use of all wood stoves and fireplaces is banned during the first stage of an air pollution episode.

The department or a local air pollution control authority can initiate a period of impaired air quality when carbon monoxide exceeds eight parts per million or when particulates exceed 90 micrograms.  The use of fireplaces and those wood stoves not meeting certain standards is banned during periods of impaired air quality.  Certified stoves can be used during periods of impaired air quality.

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

SUMMARY:

Two stages of impaired air quality are created.  The first stage of impaired air quality occurs when particulates exceed 75 micrograms or when carbon monoxide exceeds eight parts per million.  The second stage of impaired air quality occurs when particulates exceed 105 micrograms.  Certified wood stoves and those pellet stoves certified by the Department of Ecology or exempted by the Environmental Protection Agency can be used during the first stage of impaired air quality.  The use of all fireplaces and wood stoves is banned during the second stage of impaired air quality.

After July 1, 1995, a local air authority may ban the use of non- certified wood stoves after considering factors relating to population density and health effects.  In areas where the use of non-certified stoves has been banned, impaired air quality occurs when particulates exceed 90 micrograms or when carbon monoxide exceeds eight parts per million.

The department cannot declare an air pollution episode until a period of impaired air quality has been declared.

The department may charge a fee of up to $15 on the retail sale of new wood stoves for education and enforcement of wood stove laws.

The provision allowing the department to ban the use of certified wood stoves during periods of impaired air quality is deleted.  Wood stove dealers are required to distribute and verbally explain materials describing when a woodstove can and cannot be used.

Persons selling new wood stoves must distribute and verbally explain to customers purchasing new wood stoves educational materials that describe when a stove may and may not be used.

The joint select task force on clean air is authorized to review the implementation of this act and to recommend further regulation of wood stoves.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Environmental Affairs)  Mike Ryherd, Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority; John Hayes, Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Authority; Stu Clark, Department of Ecology; Kurt Rumens, Washington Wood Energy Association; Dick Lynch, Fireplace Xtrordinair; J. Gordon Williams, citizen; Jim Havens, Association of Pellet Fuel Industries; Jim King, Association of Pellet Fuel Industries; Barry Stratton, Fireplace and Patio Shop; Jerry Whitfield, Pyro Industries; Steve Sheldon, Olympia Fireplace; and Gary Smith, Independent Business Association.

(Revenue)  Mike Ryherd, PSAPCA; Sam Sullivan, Washington Wood Energy Association; and Stu Clark, Department of Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Environmental Affairs)  No one.

(Revenue)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Environmental Affairs)  The bill will not resolve all air pollution problems associated with wood stoves, but will result in improved air quality.  The bill will provide local air pollution control authorities with much needed funding and authority to ban the use of non-certified wood stoves.  The bill makes the process of burning bans more rational and understandable to the public.

(Revenue) Same as Environmental Affairs.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Environmental Affairs)  None.

(Revenue)  None.