WOOD HEATER REGULATION                                                                          S.B. 910:

                                                                                              SUMMARY AS ENACTED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 910 (as enacted)                                                            PUBLIC ACT 417 of 2014

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Senate Committee:  Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes

House Committee: Energy and Technology

 

Date Completed:  1-8-15

 

CONTENT

 

The bill amends 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.

 

The bill will take effect on March 31, 2015.

 

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 applies subject to Section 5514, which the bill adds. That section prohibits the DEQ from doing either of the following:

 

 --    Promulgating a rule limiting emissions from wood heaters.

 --    Enforcing against a manufacturer, distributor, or consumer a Federal regulation limiting emissions from wood heaters and adopted after May 1, 2014.

 

The bill defines "wood heater" as 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 & 324.5514                                              Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill will 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.