WOOD HEATER REGULATION                                                                          S.B. 910:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 910 (as introduced 4-24-14)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Committee:  Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes

 

Date Completed:  5-14-14

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend Part 55 (Air Pollution Control) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) from promulgating a rule limiting emissions from wood heaters, or enforcing a similar Federal regulation adopted after May 1, 2014.

 

Part 55 requires the DEQ to promulgate rules for purposes of doing all of the following:

 

 --    Controlling or prohibiting air pollution.

 --    Complying with the Clean Air Act.

 --    Controlling any mode of transportation that is capable of causing or contributing to air pollution.

 --    Reviewing proposed locations of stationary emission sources.

 --    Reviewing modifications of emission sources that impair the State's ability to meet Federal ambient air quality standards.

 --    Establishing suitable emission standards consistent with Federal ambient air quality standards and factors.

 --    Implementing provisions of Part 55 regarding permits for certain sources of emissions.

 

Under the bill, this requirement would apply subject to Section 5514, which the bill would add. That section would prohibit the DEQ from doing either of the following:

 

 --    Promulgating a rule limiting emissions from wood heaters.

 --    Enforcing a Federal regulation limiting emissions from wood heaters and adopted after May 1, 2014.

 

"Wood heater" would mean a wood stove, pellet stove, wood-fired hydronic heater, wood burning forced-air furnace, or masonry wood heater designed for heating a home or business.

 

MCL 324.5512 et al.                                                      Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

                                                                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.