Phillips, Fairchild Concerned Over State Regs for Wood-Fired Boilers
Residents encouraged to attend public meeting in Williamsport
Reps. Merle Phillips (R-Northumberland/Snyder) and Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union) are informing residents about a Department of Environmental Protection proposal in Harrisburg that would further regulate the use of outdoor wood-fired boilers by state government.
Although some municipalities already regulate the use of these boilers, Fairchild and Phillips are concerned about the state’s Environmental Quality Board taking over the regulation. They believe that regulating is more effectively monitored at the local level.
“Many homeowners, especially in rural areas, use wood-fired boilers as one of the few affordable ways to heat their homes,” Phillips said. “I am greatly concerned that this is yet another area where state government is coming onto our properties and forcing property owners to make costly upgrades. Many local townships and boroughs already have measures in place to regulate these types of boilers and that is the appropriate level of government to handle this.”
Under the proposed regulations, new boilers must be installed at least a minimum of 150 feet from the nearest property line and 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.
For existing boilers, they 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.
In addition, a person may not purchase, sell, offer for sale, distribute or install a boiler unless it meets Phase 2 standards for efficiency.
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 Environmental Quality Board is currently taking public comment, both in writing and in person at four scheduled meetings in December. The closest public hearing will be held 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.
“Unfortunately, the Environmental Quality Board has scheduled hearings during the first three days of deer season, which is a great inconvenience to many residents who own and operate this type of boiler,” Fairchild said. “Affected residents who are unable to attend should submit written testimony and let the agency know how they will be personally affected by these changes.”
Interested individuals are encouraged to 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. Residents may also send 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.
Comments must be received by the Environmental Quality Board by Jan. 4, 2010.
More information, including a public hearing schedule, and a direct link to the proposed regulations are available on the lawmakers’ Web sites at
MerlePhillips.com and
RussFairchild.com.
Rep. Merle Phillips
108th District
(570) 286-5885
Rep. Russ Fairchild
85th District
(570) 524-2788
Contact: Jennifer Algoe Keaton
Jkeaton@pahousegop.com