BTEC News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2010

BTEC Welcomes EPA Call for Additional Review of Proposed Boiler Rule
Environmental Protection Agency asks a Federal Court to delay boiler emission regulations from upcoming January deadline

WASHINGTON, December 10 – The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) today welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to extend the timeline for final emission regulations of biomass-fueled boilers in order to conduct additional review. EPA is under court order to complete the revised regulations by January 16, 2011, but upon receipt of over 4,800 public comments on its proposed rules, the agency has asked the D.C. U.S. District Court for an extension up to April 2012.

“We are pleased that EPA is taking a serious second look at its proposed rules for biomass boilers,” said BTEC Executive Director Kyle Gibeault. “This additional time will help EPA formulate practical, real-world emissions limits and pollution controls that will accelerate the transition to clean and efficient biomass boiler systems.”

On June 4, 2010, EPA solicited comments on its Proposed Rule for Area Source Boilers, a series of draft regulations that outlined particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) limits for biomass boilers based upon output and installation status. BTEC shared its reservations on the proposed rule through the formal comment process, industry sign-on letters, congressional communication, and open engagement with EPA officials. BTEC’s formal comments called EPA’s data set into question and instead recommended initial and interim data-driven limits and practices representative of real-world technologies.

“BTEC will continue to work with EPA and provide it with the information needed to get this rule right,” said Gibeault. “However, EPA must also be mindful of the consequences of too much delay. Regulatory certainty is required in order to spur the investment and innovation necessary to create jobs, foster energy independence, and more America closer to a more sustainable future.”

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About the Biomass Thermal Energy Council

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) is an association of biomass fuel producers, appliance manufacturers and distributors, supply chain companies and non-profit organizations that view biomass thermal energy as a renewable, responsible, clean and energy-efficient pathway to meeting America’s energy needs. BTEC engages in research, education, and public advocacy for the fast growing biomass thermal energy industry. www.biomassthermal.org