Young Denounces Vote on Boiler Regs

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C, I-Olean) today said new outdoor wood boiler regulations hurriedly forced by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) without public scrutiny is a travesty that may be illegal.

“This is one of the most egregious and appalling regulatory action by a state agency that I have ever witnessed. DEC’s actions are another blow to the upstate economy that hits people and small businesses at a time when they cannot afford more expenses,” Senator Young added.

“It's another example of big government gone wild, failing to follow through promises and shoving another expensive mandate down the throats of our struggling taxpayers,” Senator Young added.

On Sunday December 19th, the New York State Environmental Board announced a last minute Board meeting on Wednesday to vote on regulations for outdoor wood boilers. Senator Young said the vote took place on a few days notice and just before the Christmas holiday so it would not attract much notice.

Senator Young delivered a letter to DEC Acting Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz on the day before the vote that highlighted the “potential illegal use” of this unusual rule making procedure.

“DEC’s arrogant disregard for the laws that govern rulemaking is astounding. Their actions were done in secret without additional public input and these new regulations clearly are discriminatory toward rural areas,” said Senator Young.

Senator Young added that at an October meeting of the Environmental Review Board, DEC had promised to hold a new public comment period before a set of revised regulations for both new and existing wood boilers would be enacted.

Senator Young said she is hopeful this ill-conceived policy will be reversed by the new Governor.

“Governor-elect Cuomo has stated that he will work to grow the economy and help Upstate. He is on record as saying ‘we must keep our agricultural industry competitive by ensuring it continues to generate income and grow.’ Today, DEC has hurt thousands of farms and other Upstate small businesses."

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