Public comment sought on outdoor furnaces

March 7, 2008 at 1:13a.m.

Outdoor furnaces could be used from Sept. 30-April 15.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period for draft rules it has proposed regulating outdoor furnaces.

The comment period, which was to end today, now will stretch through March 21. Linda Fee Oros, an Ohio EPA spokeswoman, said there has been a lot of interest in the issue, and the agency wanted to ensure there was ample time for people to share their opinions.

The boilers generally are placed outside of homes or buildings, with wood and other fuels added in bulk. There are currently no rules in effect regulating their use in Ohio.

Among restrictions outlined in the draft rules, released by Ohio EPA last month:

Residents could use clean wood, wood pellets from clean wood, home heating oil that complies with sulfur content limits, natural gas (used as a starter) or any clean-burning fuel “with emissions lower than those created from burning seasoned firewood,” according to Ohio EPA.

“Fuels excluded would include burned garbage, tires, yard waste, material containing rubber or plastic, waste petroleum products, coal, construction and demolition debris material, particle board, animal waste and asphalt products.

Outdoor furnaces could be used from Sept. 30-April 15 unless units are certified to meet emissions limits.

Among other requirements, boilers would have to be placed at least 200 feet from the closest property line and have a permanent stack at least 5 feet higher than the peak of any roof within 150 feet.

The rules include other requirements for new and existing boilers located in cities and villages or in unincorporated areas. Manufacturers would be required to appropriately label units and inform buyers of use restrictions.

Copies of the rules are available on the Ohio EPA Web site (www.epa.state.oh.us) or by calling (614) 644-2310.

Written comments can be mailed to the Division of Air Pollution Control, Ohio EPA, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus 43216-1049.

mkovac@dixcom.com