Archive: Opinions

On Friday, April 18, the Lansing Star posted "Reed Challenges New Wood Stove Requirements" -- an article written by Rep. Tom Reed's office. The article reported that Reed was concerned about a rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The article stated that the new regulation "would increase cost for New Yorkers who heat their homes or businesses with wood stoves."

Nowhere in the article does it explain the EPA's proposal. Nowhere does it justify Reed's claims.  Reed, like Big Brother, has decided EPA's requirements are bad for us and expects us to trust him. Tom, this is not 1984.

In reality, the EPA's proposed rules are to tighten emission requirements on wood burning stoves and boilers by 80% in five years. The requirements will be on only new stoves; our present stoves will not be changed. We will not be required to replace our  stoves, although only new stoves will be sold beginning 2020.

The current wood stoves emission regulations are from 1988. Technology, stove designs, and new material have improved in 25 years. According to the EPA, the new regulated stoves would use 1/3 the wood for the same heat as an older inefficient stove. We should see huge savings.

The EPA reports that we will see between $118 to $267 in health benefits for every dollar spent to comply with the new standards. That turns out to be between $1.8 to $2.4 billion annual health and economic benefits. Americans will have fewer heart attacks, strokes, and asthma attacks. We will have less CO2, methane and black carbon emissions.

One would wonder why Rep. Reed would be against a regulation that provides a cleaner, healthier, and less costly heating source. Could it be tied to the Corporate PACs that have donated to his campaign?

Rich Stewart
Penn Yan, NY
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