EPA opens 91-day public comment period on proposed performance standards for new residential wood heaters; proposal originally released on Jan. 3, comments due by May 5
Allison Oesterle
LOS ANGELES
,
February 4, 2014
(Industry Intelligence Inc.)
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed performance standards for new residential hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces, new residential masonry heaters, and new residential wood heaters in the Federal Register on Feb. 3, Biomass Magazine reported the same day.
This officially opens the 91-day public comment period on the proposal, which was originally released on Jan. 3. Comments are due by May 5.
The agency will hold a public hearing on Fed. 26 at its New England Regional Office in Boston. People who wish to speak at the meeting should register by Feb. 19, according to the EPA.
In addition to requesting comments on the official proposal, which involves phasing in the new performance standards in a two-step process over five years, the EPA is asking for comments on an alternative plan that would phase in the new standards via a three-step process over eight years.
The new performance standards would set limits on particulate matter (PM) emissions for new systems but would not affect existing heating systems. The proposed PM emissions limits would also likely cut the emissions of other types of wood smoke pollutants, the EPA added.
The primary source of this article is Biomass Magazine, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Feb. 3, 2014.
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