Air pollution; regulating emissions resulting from use of outdoor wood-burning heaters. (SB641)
Introduced By
Sen. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Air pollution; outdoor wood-burning heaters. Requires the Air Pollution Control Board to develop a model ordinance for localities that could be used, at the discretion of the locality, to regulate air pollution emissions resulting from the use of outdoor hydronic heaters such as residential wood-fired boilers. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/20/2012 | Presented and ordered printed 12103644D |
| 01/20/2012 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources |
| 01/26/2012 | Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (11-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/30/2012 | Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 1-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/31/2012 | Read second time and engrossed |
| 02/01/2012 | Impact statement from DPB (SB641) |
| 02/01/2012 | Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 17-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/13/2012 | Placed on Calendar |
| 02/13/2012 | Read first time |
| 02/13/2012 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources |
| 02/20/2012 | Assigned ACNRsub: Natural Resources |
| 02/22/2012 | Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (3-Y 4-N) |
| 03/10/2012 | Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources |
Comments
This bill is needed to protect all homeowners. Owners of these units do not have any consideration for neighboring homeowners. Neighboring homeowners have to endure the smoke, fumes, and odors that seep into their homes, attic, etc. Health concerns are an issue. You cannot use your heat or air conditioner due to the outside smoke and fumes. There are laws for cigarette smoking in establishments, but this field is left wide open with no protection. We have endured the above situation for 2 years. I wrote senators, congressmen, the President, and our local Board of Supervisors. Then, I received a letter from an attorney on behalf of the neighbor who owned one of these units to the effect that they could sue us. I consulted an attorney - only to be told you need to be able to document the source, view it and its path. DEQ IS NEEDED TO ASSIST IN BRINGING ABOUT RESOLUTIONS FOR THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS.
Rebecca,
Have you seen our site
http://burningissues.org/forum/phpBB2/index.php
All of the wood smoke /negative health effects can be researched here. Tell your attorney.
Tom,
I have previously read numerous website articles on the outdoor wood furnace burning issues. Some states had banned them, while some homeowners sued the owner of the units and also the manufacturer of the unit. When I wrote to the Senators, delegates, President, EPA/DEQ, I documented this in depth.
In 2010 - SB1303 was introduced.
In 2011 - SB641 was introduced (the same bill).
This bill would have allowed DEQ to assist the counties in implementing regulations/abatement of these units. Both years, this bill passed the Senate, but was killed both times in the house. If you pull up these bills, you will see the history and what Senators/delegates voted for/against it. It contained an impact statement that indicated a low cost for DEQ to implement this. This bill would have helped the homeowner,if the local locality would implement it in their county.
The bottom line is your local county/city will not take action, the health department does not have authority, DEQ does not have enough authority or will not implement their authority, and the general assembly is not going to implement legislation to protect the homeowner from being smoked out of their homes and incur health problems. If a bill is implemented, it takes a lot of people signing petitions, and showing up at the general assembly in support of it. I feel that the federal government need to take a stand in this issue, as the counties and states refuse to do so. This is a health issue.
Tom,
These bills were introduced in the general assembly as shown below:
Air pollution; regulating emissions resulting from use of outdoor wood-burning heaters. (SB641)
2011 - SB1303
2012 - SB641