Outdoor Burners
Face New Guides

This week the Douglas Administration announced new air quality standards for outdoor wood boilers to take effect in the summer of 2008.

The new rules do not affect Vermonters who now own outdoor wood boilers. Those stoves will continue to operate under the existing standards. Stove dealers shall be permitted to sell existing inventory.

The Agency of Natural Resources took over a year to speak with the public and the manufacturers before presenting the new rules. In 2006, the watchdog committee, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, persuaded the Agency to take extra time before updating regulations.

The ANR took another full year before coming up with final rules.

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules met twice to review the Agency’s work. This committee’s job is to see that: the rules follow the law, that the rule making procedure has followed the law, that the public’s input has been part of the discussion, and that the Agency has not exceeded its authority.

What if a year from now there is reason to believe manufacturers can’t meet the standards? The Secretary of Natural Resources has the power within the rules to issue variances, or extend the deadline.

The Legislature, furthermore, could pass a law to overrule the Agency’s actions if the Legislature believes the Agency has over reached.

One reason air quality continues to improve is because rules have been updated as technology has improved. Outdoor wood boilers will serve to promote Vermont’s forests, and to keep Vermonters warm using local resources efficiently.

Senator Mark MacDonald

Chair, Joint Energy Committee