Causer Opposes State Regulation of Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers
HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is speaking out against proposed regulations from the state's Environmental Quality Board that would place significant restrictions on the use of outdoor wood-fired boilers in Pennsylvania.
"These boilers are one of the last affordable forms of home heating for many rural Pennsylvanians," Causer said. "Government intervention has helped drive up the cost of electricity, oil and gas, and now it's going to do the same to wood-fired boilers.
"This is just another example of 'big brother' government stepping in where it is not wanted or needed," he added. "Local governments are more than capable of regulating these boilers if they believe it is warranted."
Under the proposed regulations:
· A person may not purchase, sell, offer for sale, distribute or install a boiler unless it meets Phase 2 standards for efficiency.
· New boilers must be installed at least a minimum of 150 feet from the nearest property line.
· New boilers must have a permanently attached stack that must be at least 10 feet above ground and extend at least two feet above the highest peak of the highest residence located within 150 feet of the boiler.
· Existing boilers must also have a permanently attached stack that is at least 10 feet above ground and extend at least two feet above the highest peak of the highest residence located within 500 feet of the boiler.
· Only clean wood, wood pellets made from clean wood and certain home heating oil, natural gas or propane fuels can be used in the boilers.
The regulations are currently open for public comment, and Causer is encouraging people directly affected by the regulations, as well as those concerned about state government overstepping its authority, to make their voices heard on the issue.
"We need to stand up and tell the Rendell administration that enough is enough," Causer said.
Comments must be received by the Environmental Quality Board by Jan. 4, 2010. People have three options for submitting comments:
· Send written comments to Environmental Quality Board, P.O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477 (express mail: Rachel Carson State Office Building, 16th Floor, 400 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301). No fax comments will be accepted.
· Send written comments via e-mail to RegComments@state.pa.us. A subject heading of the proposal and a return name and address must be included in each e-mail. If the sender does not receive acknowledgement that the comments were received within two working days, the sender should resubmit his or her comments.
· Attend one of four public hearings scheduled on the matter. The closest hearing will be held in Williamsport at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Department of Environmental Protection Office, 208 W. Third St., Suite 101, Williamsport. Additional hearings are slated for Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre and Cranberry Township.
Visit RepCauser.com for a complete hearing schedule and the proposed regulations.
e-mail from Causer's office
"These boilers are one of the last affordable forms of home heating for many rural Pennsylvanians," Causer said. "Government intervention has helped drive up the cost of electricity, oil and gas, and now it's going to do the same to wood-fired boilers.
"This is just another example of 'big brother' government stepping in where it is not wanted or needed," he added. "Local governments are more than capable of regulating these boilers if they believe it is warranted."
Under the proposed regulations:
· A person may not purchase, sell, offer for sale, distribute or install a boiler unless it meets Phase 2 standards for efficiency.
· New boilers must be installed at least a minimum of 150 feet from the nearest property line.
· New boilers must have a permanently attached stack that must be at least 10 feet above ground and extend at least two feet above the highest peak of the highest residence located within 150 feet of the boiler.
· Existing boilers must also have a permanently attached stack that is at least 10 feet above ground and extend at least two feet above the highest peak of the highest residence located within 500 feet of the boiler.
· Only clean wood, wood pellets made from clean wood and certain home heating oil, natural gas or propane fuels can be used in the boilers.
The regulations are currently open for public comment, and Causer is encouraging people directly affected by the regulations, as well as those concerned about state government overstepping its authority, to make their voices heard on the issue.
"We need to stand up and tell the Rendell administration that enough is enough," Causer said.
Comments must be received by the Environmental Quality Board by Jan. 4, 2010. People have three options for submitting comments:
· Send written comments to Environmental Quality Board, P.O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477 (express mail: Rachel Carson State Office Building, 16th Floor, 400 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301). No fax comments will be accepted.
· Send written comments via e-mail to RegComments@state.pa.us. A subject heading of the proposal and a return name and address must be included in each e-mail. If the sender does not receive acknowledgement that the comments were received within two working days, the sender should resubmit his or her comments.
· Attend one of four public hearings scheduled on the matter. The closest hearing will be held in Williamsport at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Department of Environmental Protection Office, 208 W. Third St., Suite 101, Williamsport. Additional hearings are slated for Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre and Cranberry Township.
Visit RepCauser.com for a complete hearing schedule and the proposed regulations.
e-mail from Causer's office
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