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Obama's going after your wood stoves, so what next?

Tam

Well-known member
EPA Wood-Stove Proposal Prompts Rural Backlash
Sunday, 23 Feb 2014 03:49 PM
By Newsmax Wires

A federal proposal to clean up the smoke wafting from wood-burning stoves has sparked a backlash from some rural residents, lawmakers and manufacturers who fear it could close the damper on one of the oldest ways of warming homes on cold winter days.

Proposed regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would significantly reduce the amount of particle pollution allowed from the smokestacks of new residential wood-powered heaters.

Wood-burning stoves are a staple in rural homes in many states, a cheap heating source for low-income residents and others wanting to lessen their reliance on gas or electric furnaces. Outdoor models often cost several thousand dollars, but indoor stoves can cost as little as a few hundred dollars and sometimes double as fashionable centerpieces in homes.

Some manufacturers contend the EPA's proposed standards are so stringent that the higher production costs would either force them out of business or raise prices so high that many consumers could no longer afford their products.

"There's not a stove in the United States that can pass the test right now — this is the death knoll of any wood burning," Reg Kelly, the founder of Earth Outdoor Furnaces in Mountain Grove, told Missouri lawmakers during a recent hearing.

More than three dozen Missouri lawmakers have co-sponsored a bill that would symbolically fight back against the EPA by declaring that "All Missourians have a right to heat their homes and businesses using wood-burning furnaces, stoves, fireplaces and heaters."

This past week, a Missouri House committee endorsed a revised measure that proposes to ban state environmental officials from regulating residential wood heaters unless authorized by the Legislature.

Missouri appears to be one the first states to introduce legislation in response to the proposed EPA regulations. But concerns over wood-stove pollution and regulations also have been simmering in other states, including Utah and Alaska.

States such as Washington and New York already have adopted stricter emission rules. And last fall, New York's attorney general led a coalition of seven states in a federal lawsuit seeking to compel to the EPA to adopt new emission limits on wood-fired boilers, which heat water that is piped into a home's radiator system.

The EPA's existing regulations date to 1988 and don't apply to all of the different kinds of wood-burning devices now in use. Under a proposed rule change released last month, the EPA would give manufacturers five years to meet standards that would reduce emissions by an estimated 80 percent.

The EPA has scheduled a public hearing next Wednesday in Boston, and the sponsor of the Missouri legislation plans to travel there to make his case.

"What they're doing is unnecessary, and it comes against our American values and our traditions," said Rep. Tim Remole, a Republican who has a wood stove at his rural Missouri home.

There are about 12 million wood stoves in U.S. homes, including about 9 million that are less than half as efficient as the newer stoves, according to the EPA. The agency's proposed rules would not affect stoves already in homes.

Most people who own wood stoves have other means of heat, such as electric or gas furnaces. But about 2 percent U.S. homes rely on wood as their primary heating source — a figure that has been rising over the past decade.

Darwin Woods, who owns a farm near the small central Missouri town of Clark, said his 12-year-old outdoor wood stove heats both his home and water. Though he wouldn't be forced to upgrade the stove, Woods views the proposed EPA rule as an intrusion.

"It's just another way for them to control my life and lifestyle and basically force me to pay more for just survival," Woods said.

Others point to the negative health effects from burning wood. The fine particles can worsen asthma and cardiovascular problems, ultimately leading to earlier deaths, according to the American Lung Association.

In Utah, Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has called for a winter ban on wood-burning in an attempt to improve air quality. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has also proposed its own emission requirements.

But some homeowners "want to keep their fireplaces to have a way to heat homes and cook food in the event an earthquake cuts gas lines and power," said Erin Mendenhall, a Salt Lake City council member and executive director of Breathe Utah, which is offering to replace wood stoves with gas units.

The National Firewood Association, based in Duluth, Minn., says some of the pollution from wood-burning stoves could be reduced if people would burn only aged wood rather than wood with too much wet sap.

"A properly burning wood fire — there's virtually no smoke or smell," said Executive Director Scott Salveson.

Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/epa-wood-stove-ban/2014/02/23/id/554234#ixzz2uDOHrdAn
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cutterone

Well-known member
Wow! I finally got enough sunlight to get the old battery charged up to run this computer. Yesterday was a bummer setting with the solar panel tracking the sun with the panel to charging the battery. I’m having tough time getting used to all the new laws and regulations and really can’t keep up with them as we don’t get much news these days and the government adds about a hundred new ones each day we are told.
It was a little cold last night with no heat again but we will get used to it I suppose. Since the EPA shut down all the electric plants we really feel lucky to have this old battery hidden from the EPA so we can generate and store a little electricity once in a while. They stopped us from using any fuel in the wood stove for cooking and heat and the solar candle to represent the flame doesn’t work at night.
I almost got arrested last Friday when a couple of the grandkids were playing cowboys and native Americans with sticks that someone claimed looked like guns and knives. I’m still confused as to where we live as the big government does not recognize states anymore and there are no country borders so guess it’s just where you are at and a few collecting anything you have and giving it someone else. There are no cures anymore but it’s nice that there is someone who can tell you what you have and walk you through your hospice days.
I understand that they are getting ready to take the old Keystone pipeline and divert it through what was California and drain out the Great Lakes. What will they think of next?
Even though I can still dial up the old solar TV I just can’t get in to it. All that is on anymore are Obama reruns of speeches, and some show about drag queens and gay ice skaters. I always thought they were homosexuals but I guess they aren’t – just gay. Guess they are gay about wearing eye makeup, feathers and spreading aids. Did see though where Bob Costas and Matt Louer were both mad about the government taking away their body guard’s guns after getting into an altercation with some thugs.
Well, better get off here before I use up all the battery.
 

Tam

Well-known member
You guys better watch out I hear Moochelle O is going to kick in a new HEALTH REGULATION that has you generating your power with a stationary bicycles. You will have power and she with be making sure you are not over weight. :wink:
 

Steve

Well-known member
Tam said:
You guys better watch out I hear Moochelle O is going to kick in a new HEALTH REGULATION that has you generating your power with a stationary bicycles. You will have power and she with be making sure you are not over weight. :wink:

not sure why we always bump heads on the tougher issues.. but once again,.. I have to respectfully disagree with you..

"You will have power and she with be making sure you are not over weight."

I am not so sure you would be allowed to keep your own power...

you would have to share it at the very least,..

at first it will be just with the disabled, and elderly which few will object to that law, then a few executive orders and law implantation adjustments later and the list of who you have to share that self generated power will grow to include those who just don't have time, like working mothers.. pregnant mothers,.. ect,..

those without stationary bicycles, and those who can't afford stationary bicycles,.. which might include drug addicts and basement dwellers..

and any attempt to complain will only be because you hate the disabled, elderly,.. working mothers, ect,..

sorry but others NEED that power as well,.. so start peddling you FAT cats..




:shock:
 
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