Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Authorizes the Department of Ecology (Ecology) or a local air pollution control authority to call a first stage of impaired air quality, as well as a second stage of impaired air quality, at a level below the federal standard.
Allows Ecology or a local air pollution control authority to prohibit the use of fireplaces in areas of nonattainment for fine particulate matter, if needed to meet federal requirements as a contingency measure in a state implementation plan.
Allows a city, county, or local health department to assist with enforcement of a prohibition on the use of solid fuel burning devices in a nonattainment area.
Adds new definitions for terms used in the section of law related to limitations on the use of solid fuel burning devices.

Background:

Clean Air Act Emissions Standards.

The federal Clean Air Act requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set air quality standards for certain pollutants that harm public health and the environment. One of those pollutants is fine particulate matter. In Washington, wood smoke has been identified as a major source of fine particulate matter that can negatively affect air quality standards in an area.

The EPA may designate an area as an area of nonattainment if there is a pattern of failure to reach and maintain air quality standards over a period of time. When an area is designated as a nonattainment area, the state in which the area is located must submit a plan to reach attainment. This designation can cause additional requirements for all sources emitting fine particulate matter, including industrial and household sources.

Burn Bans.

In Washington, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) or the local air pollution control authority may impose a burn ban when it forecasts that fine particulate pollution levels will exceed the federal 24-hour standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Burn bans are tiered, so Ecology or the local air pollution control authority will typically first call a Stage One burn ban. If a first stage of impaired air quality has been in force and has not achieved sufficient reductions, and a forecast is made that fine particulate pollution levels will exceed the federal 24-hour standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, a Stage Two burn ban may be called. Under certain circumstances, Ecology or the local air pollution control authority may call a Stage Two burn ban without first calling a Stage One burn ban.

Solid Fuel Burning Devices.

Washington's Clean Air Act contains laws about wood stoves and fireplaces, both of which are captured under the term "solid fuel burning device." A solid fuel burning device is defined as any device for burning wood, coal, or any other nongaseous and nonliquid fuel, including a woodstove and fireplace [RCW 70.94.453(5)]. Prohibitions exist on burning a number of materials in a solid fuel burning device, including any substance, other than properly seasoned fuel wood, that emits dense smoke or obnoxious odors. To achieve and maintain attainment in areas of nonattainment for fine particulates under federal law, Ecology or the local air pollution control authority may prohibit the use of solid fuel burning devices, except for fireplaces, woodstoves meeting standards in state law, and pellet stoves.

Prior to prohibiting the use of solid fuel burning devices, Ecology or the local air pollution control authority must seek input from the affected local government, make written findings, and meet other requirements. Ecology or the local air pollution control authority has sole authority for enforcing the prohibition.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

First and Second Stage Burn Bans.

The thresholds for when the Department of Ecology (Ecology) or a local air pollution control authority may call a first and second stage burn ban due to impaired air quality in a nonattainment area are lowered. A first stage of impaired air quality is reached when forecasted meteorological conditions are predicted to cause fine particulate levels to reach or exceed 30 micrograms per cubic meter, measured on a 24-hour average, within 72 hours.

The threshold for reaching a second stage of impaired air quality is lowered to when fine particulates are at an ambient level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, measured on a 24-hour average, and forecasted meteorological conditions are not expected to allow levels of fine particulates to decline below 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Ecology or the local air pollution control authority may call a second stage burn ban without first calling a first stage burn ban when, in addition to meeting other requirements, fine particulate levels have reached or exceeded 25 micrograms per cubic meter, measured on a 24-hour average, and meteorological conditions are predicted to cause fine particulate levels to reach or exceed 30 micrograms per cubic meter, measured on a 24-hour average, within 24 hours.

Prohibitions on the Use of Solid Fuel Burning Devices.

Ecology or a local air pollution control authority may prohibit the use of fireplaces in areas of nonattainment for fine particulate matter, if needed to meet federal requirements as a contingency measure in a state implementation plan.

A city, county, or local health department may agree to assist Ecology or a local air pollution control authority with enforcement of a prohibition on the use of solid fuel burning devices in a nonattainment area.

"Seasoned fuel wood" is defined as firewood for use in a solid fuel burning device that has a moisture content of no more than 20 percent.

"Prohibit the use" or "prohibition" are defined as the ability for Ecology or a local air pollution control authority to include requiring disclosure, removal, rendering inoperable, providing evidence of destruction, or other similar requirements approved by rule.

Report to Legislature.

Ecology and local air agencies must report back to the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature by December 31, 2014, as well as every two years thereafter through 2018, on progress toward achieving attainment in areas currently in nonattainment, and on whether any other implementation tools are needed to achieve attainment.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill specifies that a first and second stage of impaired air quality is reached when forecasted meteorological conditions are predicted to cause fine particulate levels to reach or exceed a certain number of micrograms per cubic meter, instead of when they reach or exceed a percentage of the national ambient air quality standard for fine particulates.

In addition, the substitute bill requires the Department of Ecology and local air agencies to report back to the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature by December 31, 2014, as well as every two years thereafter through 2018, on progress toward achieving attainment in areas currently in nonattainment, and on whether any other implementation tools are needed to achieve attainment.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Pierce County is currently in nonattainment under the federal Clean Air Act. This raises a number of concerns, ranging from health and human safety to significant negative economic impacts on businesses in areas of nonattainment due to more stringent environmental regulations. This is a practical bill that reflects the work and recommendations of a lengthy stakeholder effort on the part of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

The stakeholder task force convened around the issue of nonattainment in Pierce County was comprised of a wide range of interested parties, and this task force came up with the recommendations contained in this bill. While approximately half of the air pollution during winter months in Pierce County comes from wood smoke, the task force has recognized the legislative direction included in prior bills to exempt wood stoves from a burn ban if it is a resident's only heat source. The committee should implement the task force's recommendations and pass this bill.

(Opposed) None.