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Monday, January 09, 2006

Environment - More on wood-burning outdoor boilers

The ILB's first entry on outdoor wood-fired boilers, dated Dec. 5th, quoted from this comprehensive story in the South Bend Tribune. The Tribune story included this picture of what an outdoor wood-fired boiler/furnace looks like.

Today WNDU 16, also from South Bend, has a feature on the subject. Some quotes:

More and more homeowners are turning to wood burning furnaces for heat, but stricter regulations may soon impact their use.

The state is thinking about regulating how wood furnaces are used. The proposal is just in the beginning stages and they are asking for public comment.
* * *

The Alm's, who are eager to fire up their wood furnace, have paid $1,400 to fill the gas tank twice, so far this winter.

“It’s ridiculous and they are only going to get worse,” says Patty.

So, they decided last year to start chopping wood and buy a backyard wood-burning furnace.

“It’s work to get the wood, but we're not paying $700 for every fill that we would for a 500 gallon tank,” said Patty.

Right now, there aren't any regulations on the burners, which put out a lot of smoke.

“The only thing we say when we sell them, ‘don’t put garbage, railroad tie, tires, or plastics in them. As long as you burn wood it’s safe',” explained Borton.

However, that could change with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management considering new rules on wood furnaces, designed to cut down on emissions.

“I don’t know how that’s going to work for people we don't have anybody near us. So it shouldn't be a factor for us, but people in suburbs, it could be a factor for them,” said Patty.

In the meantime, the Alm's hope to save some money by heating the old fashioned way. * * *

The state will be taking public comments until March 3rd. They don't plan to make any decisions for at least a year.

Here is a WNDU picture of the new outdoor furnace being installed.

The IDEM request for written comments. Here is the the IDEM notice requesting public comments, published in the Dec. 1st, 2005 Indiana Register. Comments originally were due by Jan. 3, 2006. Because of the interest that has now been extended to Mar. 3rd. In addition, according to the notice, IDEM is forming a workgroup for those interested in helping develop the rule.

For those unfamilar with the environmental rulemaking process. IDEM has a comprehensive online tutorial on how an environmental rule is developed in Indiana and how you can participate. Access it here (ignore the confusing internal links on the IDEM page that simply move you to different locations on the same page) -- simply scroll down the lengthy page to see the opportunities for public participation during the 18-24 month development of an environmental rule, a flow chart, etc.

[Other stories on this topic may be found by typing "wood boilers" in the search box in the right column.]

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 9, 2006 05:35 PM
Posted to Environment