With the EPA’s Residential Wood Heater New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) now on the horizon, the State of Indiana has joined with many states in regulating outdoor hydronic heaters (also referred to as outdoor wood boiler or outdoor wood furnace). On May 18th, Indiana’s first rules regulating the sale, installation and operation of outdoor wood furnaces became law. The rules affect an estimated 8,000 Indiana residents who currently use an outdoor wood furnace to heat their home.

So, if you are an Indiana resident and either own or plan to purchase an outdoor wood boiler, here is a summary of some of the major elements of the adopted regulation 326 IAC 4-3.

• emission limits for new units must meet EPA Phase 2 standards,
• existing non-EPA qualified units must limit their operation to the heating season (October 1 – April 30),
• increasing the stack height for certain existing units, and
• notice requirements for sellers of outdoor hydronic heaters.

For additional information on this regulation, please visit the Indiana Department of Environmental Regulation website for outdoor hydronic heater regulations. A copy of the entire rule is available here or IDEM provides a fact sheet for more concise reading about the outdoor wood furnace rule.

Incoming search terms:

• wood boiler (15)
• indiana wood boiler regulations (7)
• Green Horizon Outdoor Wood Stove (5)
• boiler wood (4)
• clean wood heat (4)
• where to buy forced air wood furnace in indiana (3)
• indiana laws outdoor boilers (3)
• indiana outdoor wood boiler (3)
• indiana wood stove laws (3)
• indiana outdoor wood stove laws (2)

According to a recent article in the peer-reviewed journal Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining (Biofpr), the wood pellet market is booming in Europe. In 2009, pellet production in Europe was greater than 10 million metric tons from approximately 650 pellet plants. Like most energy fuels, wood pellet prices are increasing.

After Europe, North America has the largest pellet production capacity, which grew from 1.1 million metric tons in 2003 to 6.2 million in 2009.

The report indicates that EU 2020 policy for renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission will drive the market development. With these policies in place, the authors forecast that the demand, in Europe alone, for woody biomass will vary between 105 million metric tons to 300 metric tons — a 10 to 30 fold increase over the next nine years.

With this type of growth, the report states, “Public support is needed to cover the additional costs of capital investment, operation and maintenance of renewable energy equipment, and pellet fuel feedstock, in comparison with their fossil fuel alternatives.”

Watching from afar, there are several observations we can make about the contrasts in perspective — First, with such wide-spread adoption of the use of woody biomass fuels, public perception of wood heating must be quite positive. Secondly, with the rich natural resource supply here in North America, where is the U.S. policy and mindset on this topic?

Sadly, here in the U.S., woody biomass is still the forgotten step-child in the alternative energy discussion.

Incoming search terms:

• pellet market europe (7)
• wood pellet prices 2011 tennessee (5)
• wood pellet market 2011 (5)
• wood pellet market forecast (4)
• carbon debt (3)
• pellet market prices 2011 (3)
• european pellet market 2011 (3)
• pellets outlook (3)
• Wood Pellets Market 2011 (3)
• wood pellet price forecast (2)

Anyone who has made a trip to the gas pump in the last month has felt the squeeze of rising energy prices. With this increase comes higher demand for wood as a heating fuel. A recent study by the Alliance for Green Heat outlines how states are doing in their effort to balance between heating needs and health concerns.

The  grading criteria were chosen as an indication of a state’s commitment to supporting clean and responsible use of wood heat. These criteria were: outdoor wood boiler regulation, exempt wood stoves sales limits, incentive programs, strict regulations, educational websites, and change-out programs.

While there are limitations to the study, it does provide the best compilation I have seen to date on the ‘state of wood heat’ in the United States.

Incoming search terms:

• map of states that use wood (1)
• map of where wood is located in the us (1)
• United states map: Wood area (1)
• usa state map of states and what they best at (1)

Earlier this week, the Obama administration put a three-year hold on determining the permitting requirements for carbon dioxide emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources.  The surprise delay dealt a blow to green groups’ hopes for stricter pollution controls on wood-burning incinerators, while the biomass industry breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the the initial public comment period in July, 2010, the EPA received over 7,000 comments on the emissions profile of biomass fuels and sources. The EPA sites the three-year extension as window to seek further independent scientific data analysis before rule-making.

The EPA indicated that they will issue guidance shortly that will provide a basis for state or local permitting authorities to inform their decision to use biomass as a fuel as the best available control technology for GHG emissions until the agency can complete an action.

Incoming search terms:

• biomass boilers (51)
• bio mass boilers (3)
• biomass boilerrs (1)
• biomassboilers (1)
• boilers (1)
• epa wood burning incineraters (1)
• greenhouse gas deferrals for power plants (1)
• greenhouse gas epa deferral (1)

In a surprise move, two months after putting the regulation on hold, the NY DEC approved stricter regulations for new outdoor wood boilers effective April 15th, 2011.

Like many other northeastern states, New York follows the format of much of the EPA voluntary OWHH standard — this includes: emission performance, wood boiler stack height, approved fuels, and setbacks (from adjacent buildings). In addition there are labeling, consumer education, and reporting requirements for manufacturers and wood furnace dealers.

A unique twist introduced in the regulation is the designation of a residential wood boiler and a commercial wood boiler — with a wood furnace that is rated below 250,000 BTU/hr classified as a residential system. The regulations for commercial systems (> 250,000 BTU/hr) may not be installed for residential use and include greater installation requirements.

It is unclear at this point in time how this commercial aspect of this regulation relates to other existing commercial biomass boiler regulations. However one thing is clear, with the many interested parties on this topic, there will be additional news on New York’s new outdoor wood boiler regulations.

Details of the regulation are available on the DEC website.

Incoming search terms:

• nys outdoor wood boiler regulations (12)
• wood outside furanace in new york state (3)
• ny outdoor wood furnace regulations (3)
• OWHH (3)
• outdoorwoodboilerregulations (2)
• nys regs on outdoor wood boilers (2)
• standards for outdoor wood boiler installation for new york state (2)
• outdoor wood boilers strict by-laws (2)
• heat commercial nyc regulations (2)
• outdoor wood furnace nys (2)

According to the New York Times, the U.S. EPA is modifying their ruling on industrial boilers.

Having taken comment on controversial new regulations for industrial boilers and citing opposition from business leaders and lawmakers, the U.S. EPA now believes that some pollution limits in the draft rules “were simply too tight to be able to be achievable,” said the agency’s air chief Gina McCarthy.

This signals that the agency is planning to scale back proposed boiler regulations now that the pubic comment period has ended. The proposed rules were seen as prohibitively expensive and thus unlikely to be achieved and so the U.S. EPA is readying regulations that won’t be as tough on businesses.

Incoming search terms:

• industrial boilers chief (1)
• what is draught air in boilers (1)

According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, the NY DEC has put a hold on a DEC proposal that would have mandated statewide regulations on outdoor wood boilers (OWBs). The proposed regulations were tabled at a board meeting on Monday. This was less than a week after the NY DEC announced it would be submitting the proposed regulations to the board.

The operation of outdoor wood boilers is a hotly contested topic in New York State. The regulations would have ensured that new OWBs burn at least 90 percent cleaner than older models and require users to use seasoned and clean wood as opposed to garbage or other material. In addition, new OWBs would have been required to be installed a minimum of 100 feet from neighboring properties and have smokestacks at least 18 feet high. Finally, the regulation would have banned the operation of the outdoor wood furnace between June 1 and August 31 in northern New York.

This hold certainly delays the adoption of a statewide standard, while the DEC enters another public comment period.

New York State residents should view this development as a brief reprieve only. The US EPA is well under way on the development of a national standard (an NSPS) that could well trump state standards. This delay will likely result in some municipalities continuing in their efforts to regulate devices at a local level. This may turn into a rather nasty affair, so we encourage those that do push forward with their own local regulation to follow the path already laid by regulatory agencies which have spent considerable time and energy exploring viable options — Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts or Maryland.

Incoming search terms:

• greenwood hydronic furnace (3)
• greenwood hydronic heating (1)

Wood heat is a political topic?

No, this is not the 19th century, but in today’s political climate, energy and energy security are core issues in the political debate.

Who would have imagined that wood boilers might have played a role in shaping the landscape? Over the past six months, we have had the pleasure of speaking with many state and national government representatives regarding the use of clean wood-fired central heating as an essential part of the nation’s energy portfolio — clearly the message is getting through.

As we get closer to November 2nd and the political race heats up — we encourage you to stay engaged with your local races and ensure that your elected officials understand the benefits of clean, renewable wood heat!

Incoming search terms:

• wood heat in washington state (1)

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced yesterday that they have submitted a regulation to the state Environmental Board for consideration at its October 25 meeting that will set stringent performance standards for new outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) sold in New York State. If approved, the regulation would go into effect 30 days after its filing with the state Secretary of State. The stricter guidelines will ensure that new OWBs burn at least 90% cleaner than older models.

The regulation includes restrictions on fuel, stack height, set back and seasonal operation. Details of the proposed ruling may be found at the NY DEC site.

Currently, installed wood boilers that do not comply with the proposed regulation are grandfathered in compliance, but the DEC has proposed a study period to evaluate the impact of requiring their removal.

So, if you live in New York State and stay-tuned or raise your concern — you are running out of time to have your voice heard.

If you live in New York state and were not aware of the discussion going on around wood boiler regulation, you better start paying attention! According to the Watertown Daily Times, the NY Department of Environmental Conservation would require that units be installed 100 feet from neighbors property line and with stacks that are 18 feet tall.

While chimney pipe is not inexpensive, perhaps the more troubling fact for existing wood boiler or outdoor wood furnace owners is that existing units will need to be retired by either 2015 or 2020. Take a look at this article for more information.