PADEP Public Meeting for OWB

[Mike PA]

From DEP news release:

Environmental Quality Board to Hold Public Hearing in Coudersport on Outdoor Wood-Fired Boiler Requirements





WILLIAMSPORT -- The state Environmental Quality Board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan.13, in the Coudersport High School, 698 Dwight St., Coudersport, to accept comments on a proposal to amend the Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations concerning outdoor wood-fired boilers.

The proposed amendments will establish emission standards and setback requirements for newly installed outdoor wood-fired boilers, written notice and recordkeeping requirements for outdoor wood-fired boilers sold or leased after the effective date of the proposed regulation, and stack height and fuel requirements for all new and existing outdoor wood-fired boilers operated in Pennsylvania. In addition, they will add definitions for Btu (British thermal unit), clean wood, outdoor wood-fired boiler and phase 2 outdoor wood-fired boiler.

The full text of the rulemaking was published in the Oct. 17 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin along with a notice of additional public hearing published on Dec. 12, and is available at http://www.pabulletin.com. The comment period closes on Feb. 12, 2010.

Those wishing to present testimony at the hearing can register prior to the start of the hearing. Oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes for each witness. Witnesses are asked to submit three written copies of their oral testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at the hearing.

The Environmental Quality Board is a 20-member independent board that adopts all of the Department of Environmental Protection's regulations.

Any questions regarding this hearing should be directed to the Environmental Quality Board at 717-787-4526. Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact the board at 717-787-4526 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service, (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the board can best accommodate their needs.
For more information, call 717-787-4526 or visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: EQB.

 

[Bcat22]

and to think this crap is happening an hour away from me.:jawdrop:
all i have to say is if this crap spreads to Ohio, they better have an enforcement team who's jackets say S.W.A.T. on the back. As far as i'm concerned, messin' with my woodburner is messin' with my family's well-being. My policy for that is to stay polite, but pack the .308 to make sure they understand what "get off my property" means.

I've seen things like this before, rules turn into:
MORE rules
then taxes,
then penalties
next thing you know, you'll only be allowed to burn wood you purchase from the state ran wood suppliers, and only use stoves made by the state, and it will cost more to burn wood than to just burn natural gas.

 

[time warp]

This crap comes to ohio I'm with you brother. I'm about at the end of my rope with all the "this is better for me,this will keep me safer"laws that seem to be coming out of the state house lately.
I'd like to be able to decide for myself what is best for me & my family.

 

[Tesen]

It is crap comes to Ohio, include me. It won't be long before they go after indoor wood burning devices after they are done with OWB's.

I personally think we need to go knocking on the doors of people that are abusive OWB operators (you know the ones, that will smoke out an entire neighborhood and not give a rats behind...) since they are fueling this anti-OWB madness.

Tes

 

[loadthestove]

I'll agree 100% with you guys.The same thing happened here in ky but it was with the small surface coal mining operations.they actually legislated them right out of business.in the early 80s my dad had a 15-20 man operation.with laws and rules passed he simply could not turn enough profit to stay in business.
here in the last few years they have done the same thing to underground operations.in the late 80s, My county had approx 100 small undeground operations(10-12 men) today there is zero.

its like they all want us to quit work and go get in the cheese line.

there is going to be a time in this country when people will just have to stand up and say NO enough is enough..

 

[olyman]

the time is now--not later--go to the meeting if you can--and tear it up--im in iowa--no problems yet--except for a few minor areas--

 

[Bcat22]

i do have one little thing on my side right now, on a local level anyway.
i live next to the mayor of my little town. his crappy wood burner spews smoke all day right across my house, told him i don't mind at all, so long as he makes sure we both can keep burnin'

 

[RacerX]

Does everyone think that these regulations are from some government program that looks to control every aspect of life? There seems to be genuine concerns for the people who live adjacent to the guy burning pressure treated wood and other foul junk. As with many things a few bad apples will spoil the whole bunch. These regulations are just in their infancy. Wait and see what happens 5 or 10 years from now. People had better start pouring lots of money into the OWB lobbying group, post haste.

 

[Woodcutteranon]

It wasn't too long ago when Ohio did try to do this. There are some eerie similarities with PA with the set back requirements and stack heights. I called my state senator and the Farm Bureau and they were both on our side. Ohio EPA eventually backed down and as of now its up to the local government to regulate. I recommend for our PA woodburners to contact your local Farm Bureau and get them to fight for you. If you aren't a member then you should join. They are a powerful voice in your state.

Fight the good fight.

 

[Justsaws]

It is crap comes to Ohio, include me. It won't be long before they go after indoor wood burning devices after they are done with OWB's.

I personally think we need to go knocking on the doors of people that are abusive OWB operators (you know the ones, that will smoke out an entire neighborhood and not give a rats behind...) since they are fueling this anti-OWB madness.
Tes

That is the best idea so far. Regulate yourselves instead of letting the government do it. This will of course fail because you will meet many other folks burning incorrectly, all types of incorrect things, in poorly designed, and poorly installed burners that will meet you at the driveway with their weapons and tell you to piss off, as is currently their privilege.

How many times on this forum alone do you see photos of poorly installed wood burning devices and hear people talking about their ability to burn un-seasoned fuel?

It is as though we the people want to be regulated when you see what we the people do just because we the people currently can.

 

[Circle B MN]

That is the best idea so far. Regulate yourselves instead of letting the government do it. This will of course fail because you will meet many other folks burning incorrectly, all types of incorrect things, in poorly designed, and poorly installed burners that will meet you at the driveway with their weapons and tell you to piss off, as is currently their privilege.

How many times on this forum alone do you see photos of poorly installed wood burning devices and hear people talking about their ability to burn un-seasoned fuel?

It is as though we the people want to be regulated when you see what we the people do just because we the people currently can.

Who ever started that :censored: about it being okay to burn green wood in an OWB should have thier :censored: kicked. I hear that from a lot of OWB owners around here and do my best to educate them otherwise.

 

[gwiley]

Who ever started that :censored: about it being okay to burn green wood in an OWB should have thier :censored: kicked. I hear that from a lot of OWB owners around here and do my best to educate them otherwise.

I understand your sentiments when we are talking about an OWB in a densely populated area where it would actually affect someone's quality of life but why is it a problem out in the woods?

I can't see my neighbors houses and they have no idea whether I am burning crappy wood or using LP to heat my house.

It is nice to be able to burn less well seasoned wood when I need to (green is a bit much - not sure that I would bother trying truly green wood). The "pollution" created by the OWB out in the middle of nowhere doesn't affect other people, it does not create long-lasting environmental problems so why should my ability to burn less well seasoned wood be constrained?

 

[Mike PA]

I don't have an OWB, but I support those who do and use it responsibly and in appropriate locations. I will not get an OWB because my neighbors are too close, although most of the time they would not be impacted by my OWB.

We, as a wood burning community, need to realize that unless we regulate ourselves someone else will do it for us. For that reason, we should all strive for the cleanest burns we can from our equipment. I know it takes a little effort and planning on our part, but it is best for everyone involved.

Burning unseasoned wood is wasteful, as BTUs are being used to heat water. For that reason, wood consumption may be higher, causing more work later. I'm all for burning crappy wood, as long as it is properly dried. I'll burn any dry wood in my stove.

 

[Pain Cow]

Manly female liberal politicians, and feminine liberal men with fat, smooth hands. This is the problem. Could these people start a chainsaw if they really needed to? Maybe after an hour of crying and then begging for someone to help.
I make it it a focal point of my life to mind my own buisness and not bother anyone. With smoke or otherwise. If their intention is to keep poking, and test the limits of their dictatorial power, I'm willing to show them that limit. Note to epa "enforcement" officials: do some soul searching and consider finding honest work.

 

[Tesen]

That is the best idea so far. Regulate yourselves instead of letting the government do it. This will of course fail because you will meet many other folks burning incorrectly, all types of incorrect things, in poorly designed, and poorly installed burners that will meet you at the driveway with their weapons and tell you to piss off, as is currently their privilege.

You can only do so much, if people will not listen they will be forced to listen via regulation, vandalism of their equipment etc. The problem with the former, is those of us that try to burn responsibility will be punished as well.

I've been through the entire "you are polluting the environment" debate with people I've worked with in the past, and that I am killing trees (even though we practice proper land management and only take fallen trees or those endanger of falling and taking others with them), you just can't fix stupid sometimes.

Tes

 

[Justsaws]

Who ever started that :censored: about it being okay to burn green wood in an OWB should have thier :censored: kicked. I hear that from a lot of OWB owners around here and do my best to educate them otherwise.

It was used as a selling point by the manufacturers, distributors and vendors around here. It was spoken of as a great benefit but I do not remember seeing it listed in the literature.

 

[Circle B MN]

It was used as a selling point by the manufacturers, distributors and vendors around here. It was spoken of as a great benefit but I do not remember seeing it listed in the literature.

It may be a selling point, or advantage to some that have not prepared thier winter fuel in advance, but it is also a major contributer to the amount of smoke produced. No doubt about it.