EPA provides brief summary of NSPS comments

At a wood smoke conference at the University of Montana last month, the EPA did a presentation of

the status of the NSPS that included one slide that summarized stakeholder comments on the NSPS.  This summary is the first one, to our knowledge, that gives some insight into how the EPA views comments from stakeholders and which topics it regards as some of the most important.

The conference was a major gathering of wood smoke experts, air pollution agencies and a few representatives of wood stove manufacturers.

The frequent reference to states infers that their views are playing a significant role, along with industry.  The multiple references to “some manufacturers” indicate that they are paying attention to issues where industry is not united.   The reference to “electronic reporting” is about the move from paper to electronic submissions of test and compliance data from the EPA approved test labs to the EPA.  

Larry Brockman, who represents the EPA's voluntary wood heat programs, was at the Montana conference and gave the presentation:

“* Environmental/health organizations, almost all states, most of the public and some manufacturers are very supportive.

* States oppose allowing the full 5 years for current certifications at 1988 NSPS levels.

* Industry wants grandfathering plus sell-through of inventory.

* States want standards for visible emissions, right-sizing (energy audits), hangtags and proper installation and operation.

* Industry and states want electronic reporting.

* Stakeholders agree that compliance test methods should use real world conditions, e.g., cord wood but some manufacturers question the adequacy of the current database.”

The full EPA presentation and the other presentations at the conference can be found on the EPA website. For our summary of stakeholder comments to the NSPS, click here.

The conference sponsors included the University of Montana Student Chapter of Air & Waste Management Association, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific, Missoula City-County Health Department, and the Center for Environmental Health Sciences. For more about the conference.

Travis Takes Lead on Free Moisture Meters

Travis Industries has begun to include a free moisture meter with each purchase of one of its wood stoves. Travis teamed up with the EPA’s Burn Wise program, which is promoting voluntary efforts like this to help wood stove owners burn cleaner and more efficiently.

The Alliance for Green Heat applauds Travis' leadership on this and urges other manufacturers to start providing moisture meters with their new wood stoves. We'll do our best to publicize any manufacturer who joins this effort in our newsletters and on our website. For more information, you can also contact Larry Brockman at brockman.larry@epa.gov.

Here is how Travis is pitching it to their dealers:

"It's not a trade secret that you need properly dried and seasoned wood for any wood burning appliance to operate effectively. Your customers however may be in the dark about this small, yet crucial, detail.

Since we want Travis Industries wood appliances to live up to your customer's performance standards we're now supplying a FREE moisture meter with every wood model!

Also included is a "How to Use Your Moisture Meter" guide and handy educational sheet for the homeowner about the importance of wood moisture content.

It's our hope that cultivating a broader understanding of wood preparation will eliminate unnecessary tech and service calls about the appliance."

Click here for more independent, non-commercial consumer resources on choosing the right appliance and using it correctly.