Freedom of Air - Public Awareness of Outdoor Wood Boilers

Finally, New York state is taking a positive direction in dealing with OWBs. In this past week major news has come from New York from the state's

Department of Environmental Conservation. If you haven't already please take a look at the "News 2010" page and read about 10 stories talking about the New York actions being taken. 

Below are some of the keys to what the DEC is trying to do:

1) Setting a minimum distance that new OWBs are to be located from neighboring properties.

2) Certain fuel restrictions to be used in the OWB

3) Stack height requirements for new and existing outdoor wood boilers.

4) Nuisance provision for both new and existing outdoor wood boilers.

5) Bans the use of existing boilers in the summer when neighbors arelikely to be enjoying the outdoors and have their windows open.

6) Under the rules, boilers in use since before September 2005 must be taken out by August 2015. Newer models installed through April 2011will have to be gone no later than August 2020.

As quoted by the DEC:

"The rule will eventually phase out the use of existing units that do not comply with the new standards."

Here is an important link regarding the process:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/64459.html

Also click here to review the NY Attorney General's report from 2008 regarding OWBs:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/environmental/pdfs/Smoke%20Gets%20in%20Your%20Lungs%20Revised%20March%202008.pdf

Like the previous states listed in previous blog entries, PLEASE VOICE YOUR CONCERNS. This is finally the opportunity for all in New York state who have been victimied by an OWB to be heard. If your a resident of New York and have been victimized by an OWB, please make an effort to attend one of the meetings listed in the blog post above.  If your voice is not heard your problem may NEVER go away........ 

The public comment period for will end at 5:00 p.m. on July 2, 2010.Written comments may be submitted to: NYSDEC Division of Air Resources,625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3251 or by email:[email protected]

IF YOU WISH TO TALK TO US FOR ADVICE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US ANYTIME AT [email protected]