https://members.hpba.org RSS feeds for Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) 60 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2262/Federal-Court-Rules-AGAINST-Berkeleys-Gas-Ban#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2262 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2262&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2262/Federal-Court-Rules-AGAINST-Berkeleys-Gas-Ban On Monday, April 17, 2023, a federal appeals court ruled against Berkeley, California’s ban on installing natural gas piping into new home construction. The decision from the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit came on an appeal in the California Restaurant Association vs. City of Berkeley.   The case began when the city of Berkeley adopted a building code banning natural gas infrastructure in most new construction – the first U.S. city to do so. While the city argued that the ban was merely on natural gas piping, not on natural gas itself, the three-judge panel unanimously agreed with the California Restaurant Association that the action was preempted by Department of Energy regulations on gas appliances.  .     In the opinion, Judge Patrick Bumatay penned that “by its plain text and structure, the [Energy Policy & Conservation] Act’s preemption provision encompasses building codes that regulate natural gas use by covered products. By preventing such appliances from using natural gas, the Berkeley building code did exactly that.” The decision reversed a District Court decision in favor of Berkeley and remanded the case for further proceedings.     We anticipate there will be additional appeals, but this is a significant development that may impact other jurisdictions looking to curb natural gas use through building codes and other measures. HPBA – along with the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute, the California Building Industries Association, the National Association Home Builders, and the National Association of Manufacturers – filed an amicus brief in support of the California Restaurant Association.    HPBA will keep you updated with any additional news.  Emily McGee Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2262 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2249/Womens-Mentoring-Program--Lessons-Learned#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2249 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2249&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2249/Womens-Mentoring-Program--Lessons-Learned At the end of our HPBExpo ’22 show in Atlanta, I was asked if I would like to lead the second round of our Women’s Mentoring Program. As someone who is young in her career and a mentee themselves, I was hesitant but excited to take a leadership role and gain such valuable experience. The Women’s Mentoring Program was initially developed by Rachel Feinstein, our former Senior Manager – Government Affairs. She was a 10+ year veteran in the industry with a keen interest in women empowerment but moved onto a new job at a new company in early 2022. HPBA needed someone to take over the running of this program and turned to me. I knew that I had big shoes to fill, but I received great support from Rachel and our Director of Communications, Emily McGee, to take on such an important role. Here’s some insight into my experience in leading this program, my first professional experience taking the lead on a project of this magnitude. From adolescence to adulthood, I participated in camps, leadership organizations, and community service initiatives, which has helped me understand the importance of networking and building relationships. So, for the second year of the program, my goal was for the participants to walk away with a new connection in the industry. With the help of HPBEF’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Amie Ryan, we paired the mentors and mentees based on their career aspirations, what they were seeking in a mentor/mentee, and other general interests.  In addition, based on the feedback given from the first Women’s Mentoring Program in 2021, we provided more resources and engaging activities to help guide them during the program. To further meet those requests in that feedback, I provided a discussion topic and held a group call once a month. These new additions were designed to enhance their experience, drive conversations during the mentor and mentee calls, and provide shared experiences across our participants.   As the program concluded and we received feedback, I considered the areas that need improvement and how to create a more valuable experience. These are important lessons learned for the next iteration of the program. Overall, we received positive feedback on the new additions and helpful suggestions to be applied for upcoming program years. I believe this program and other programs alike extend beyond establishing relationships with other women in the industry, but also can uplift and guide the next generation to keep our industry alive and adaptable. The 2023 Women’s Mentoring Program is accepting applications. HPBA members – be on the lookout for more information. Emily McGee Thu, 02 Feb 2023 20:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2249 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2247/Federal-Gas-Stove-Ban#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2247 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2247&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2247/Federal-Gas-Stove-Ban Reports abounded last week about the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and “gas stoves” based on a letter from 20 legislators. Early reports indicated that an outright ban on gas ranges was on the table, but CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric has since clarified that there is no plan for the Commission to pursue a ban. The clarification comes after days of criticism from key legislators, including Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and the Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA). A formal request for information is expected in March. President Biden’s staff also weighed in saying that “The President does not support banning gas stoves.” CPSC does, however, seem poised to consider some regulatory effort on gas cooking. While this effort targets gas ranges and not hearth products, it will certainly have wide-ranging implications. At a minimum, this is yet another step by state and federal decisionmakers to curtail – and in some cases eliminate – the use of gas-burning products. This letter from the Hill was partly a public response to several suspect studies on cooking and indoor air quality impacts – pieces that have been touted by environmental advocates and some in the media without much oversight. With careful review of the “studies,” it becomes apparent what is being purported as settled science is anything but. UCLA researchers in 2020 published a study that linked gas stoves to asthma. The study compared emissions at “peak concentrations” to average standards. The result was obviously skewed simply based on the uneven comparisons. Coincidently, using the same data when comparing against the same metric, the emissions were recorded well below established health standards. Unsurprisingly, this research was funded by the Sierra Club, an environmental activist group that is staunchly anti-fossil fuel. Similarly, a 2022 study published by Stanford warned that gas stoves not only cause health issues, but also contribute to global warming. A cursory reading of the study would show that the environment tested for the study encased the kitchen in plastic sheets and removed all sources of ventilation. This is clearly not an accurate representation of the average American kitchen. While surely not every home has a perfect ventilation system, no kitchens operate in a plastic sealed vacuum! Many of the studies claim that hazardous particulate matter in the air is a result of gas stoves. They ignore the fact that the vast majority of particulate matter released in the air comes from the food you are cooking. Even if you mandated electric stoves across the country, you wouldn’t be addressing the largest source of emissions in the kitchen: your food. What is most damning isn’t the unrealistic assumptions, fuzzy math, or tarped off kitchens: it’s what is deliberately ignored. The largest analysis of links between gas stoves and childhood asthma was published in the National Library of Medicine and funded by a British healthcare company. After the study that included over 500,000 children sampled worldwide, researchers found “no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma diagnosis.” With the evolving narrative of a polarizing issue, there is much to learn about how this process will play out. HPBA will be keeping a close eye on developments. The rulemaking – which insiders indicate may even contemplate a ban on gas ranges – is expected to take a year or more. HPBA will look for ways to take part in the public comment process as it opens. Emily McGee Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2247 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2246/Passion-Hard-Work-Success#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2246 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2246&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2246/Passion-Hard-Work-Success As most of you know, our industry has been fighting attempts to force electrification in many states across the country.  During the 2022 Maryland General Assembly Session, we successfully pushed back on a very aggressive proposed ban on fossil fuels at the state level.  Despite this statewide decision, Montgomery County, MD introduced Bill 13-22 over the summer, again proposing a ban on fossil fuels at the county level. When we heard that Montgomery County (MOCO) introduced a bill to ban fossil fuels, we went to work. We started calling our members within the county, along with other trade professionals (Chimney Professionals, MACA, Local 602 Pipe Fitters, HVAC, gas fitters, plumbers and manufactures of gas line, furnaces and hot water heaters) along with the CSIA and the NCSG. With the help of Corey Krill, HPBA’s Electrification Manager and Jonathan Williams, MAHPBA’s Executive Director, we sent out several action alerts, emails and letters. How much did we affect the outcome? I can’t say for sure because small organizations can’t always track everything. And it was tough going – we even thought about cutting our losses so we could live to fight another day. That was hard for me to hear – they don’t call me “Mr. Maryland” for nothing! But I learned how politics are played. And yes, it can be played as a strategic game. And we kept going. But without spending extra money by MAHBPA or HPBA, our passion kept us going and this hard work led to a great success. Our members, supporters, and friends sent 800 letters to the council. The version of Bill 13-22 that passed includes specific exemptions for gas fireplaces and outdoor grills! This is all thanks to the work of the dedicated volunteers that comprise MAHPBA’s Government Affairs Committee, our Executive Director, the HPBA GA team and its electrification manager, and our coalition partners, Mid Atlantic Petroleum Distributors Association, the American Gas Association, and the Mid Atlantic Propane Gas Association, along with local gas suppliers. The story above should be the only reason you as a retailer, distributors or manufacturer, need to know why you should be members of HPBA and your local Affiliate. There are 12 Affiliates in the US and Canada with Executive Directors that guide a large group of industry volunteers to serve on the board and serve you as members. Our Government Affairs team is made up of our Executive Director, a director for each of the four states and the District of Columbia, several retail members, regional sale’s representative and the HPBA GA team as needed. As I let you go into the New Year, this was our story. I can assure you there are 11 other affiliates that are working with passion and hard work to bring you Success. Emily McGee Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2246 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2239/Five-Signs-You-Need-a-Fireplace#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2239 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2239&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2239/Five-Signs-You-Need-a-Fireplace October is National Fireplace Month, and there’s nothing better than watching the seasons change while curling up next to the fire. Think you don’t need a fireplace? Think again. We’ve complied five signs that point to you needing a fireplace.  You Live in the Midwest 1.    With summer ending and cold wintery days ahead, having a cozy fireplace to warm your home is essential, especially in the Midwest. Picture it now: a fresh snowfall, a cup cocoa, a cozy fire. The scene has been set and all that’s left is for you to pick the right fireplace for your home. ­­   You’re Always Lighting Candles 2.    Let’s face it, no matter how many candles you light, they just can’t hold a candle to the glow and warmth a fireplace has to offer. You Love to Entertain 3.    If you’re hosting the holidays this year or having people over, a fire crackling in the background is a sure-fire way to set the tone for the season.  You Usually Tune into The Yule Log TV Station 4.    This year, instead of turning on the TV to create an ambience, turn on your fireplace. Yule log TV will never be able to compare to the real thing.  You Have Nowhere to Hang Your Christmas Stockings 5.    Instead of dreaming of stockings hung by the chimney with care, make it a reality this year. A fireplace sets the scene for an idyllic holiday season.    If you find yourself nodding along while reading this list, visit our website to learn more and find the perfect fireplace for your home this fall. #NationalFirePlaceMonth #HouseWarming. Emily McGee Tue, 04 Oct 2022 17:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2239 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2151/Biomass-Stove-Tax-Credit--Enacted#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2151 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2151&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2151/Biomass-Stove-Tax-Credit--Enacted President Biden signed the Inflation Recovery Act (IRA) today and it contained the long-awaited (by us) tax credit for biomass stoves. Why have we been promoting and lobbying for this for so long? Because replacing older stoves with a new, EPA-certified stove means cleaner air and a more efficient heating product. As a bonus, the tax credit will also make it easier to opt for a wood pellet stove. These are more complicated and more expensive than an EPA-certified woodstove. A tax credit will put clean pellet heat within reach of more people. There are many areas of this country that depend on wood or pellets to heat their homes. And many people use a biomass heater as a backup for when the power goes out and they don’t have access to any gas options. It’s easy to assume that electricity will always be available, especially when you are in a big city where outages are rare and short-lived annoyances. But in more rural areas, electricity is a wonderful convenience that isn’t quite as dependable. If this rural area is in a northern state and it is winter, it only makes sense to have a back up that can be fueled with biomass. (or even in Texas…) Starting in 1988, the EPA began to regulate wood stoves. In 2015, the EPA updated those regulations with an updated New Source Performance Standards. Anything sold after May 15, 2020 is producing a fraction of the emissions that you would see in that old wood stove in your grandparents’ house. Every day that a homeowner is using an old stove instead of purchasing a new one, means unnecessary smoke in the air. These technological marvels should be in every home that wants the convenience and reliability of biomass. Tax credits such as those signed into law today make these improvements more attainable for most families. We applaud the U.S. Congress and President Biden for including the biomass stove tax credit provisions within the IRA. Emily McGee Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2151 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2137/Are-you-leaving-tax-relief-on-the-table#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2137 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2137&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2137/Are-you-leaving-tax-relief-on-the-table With tax season upon us, some companies may be surprised to learn that they are eligible for a significant form of relief included in 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 relief packages: the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). While the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) got a lot of attention in the media as support for keeping employees on the payroll, ERTC – which can provide a payroll tax credit of up to $26,000 per employee – may have been overlooked by some businesses. Background on ERTC The ERTC was originally introduced in the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, but was overshadowed by the more robust (and publicized) PPP offerings. This makes sense because in the early days, companies had to choose between ERTC and PPP. In December of 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act allowed all eligible employers to claim ERTC, even if they had already received a PPP loan. The one catch is that the ERTC cannot be claimed on wages that had been covered by a PPP loan. This meant that up to 50% of $10,000 in qualifying wages per employee could be claimed by many small businesses – possibly a $5,000 per employee boost for 2020.  ERTC really kicked into high gear, though, with the American Rescue Plan, increasing the amount a company could claim (increased from 50% to 70%) and extending availability of the tax credit through 2021 (although that was since reduced to only the first three quarters of 2021). Now, instead of up to $5,000 per employee per year, the maximum tax credit shot up to $7,000 per quarter for each eligible employee. With little fanfare, here is a phenomenal opportunity to claim a fully refundable tax credit for up to $26,000 per employee since the pandemic began.  HPBA is not able to provide tax advice, so we recommend you speak with your payroll processor, accountant, or tax professional to see whether you may qualify for some or all of this credit. We will list some additional resources at the end of this piece. Who Can Claim the ERTC?  In order to be eligible for ERTC, you must be a business that has been impacted by COVID-19 by either a “Government Order” or by “Reduced Gross Receipts.” These can be determined by:   • A calendar quarter “in which the operation of the trade or business is fully or partially suspended during the calendar quarter due to an order from an appropriate government authority limiting commerce, travel or group meetings (for commercial, social, religious or other purposes) due to COVID-19.” This does not mean your business ever had to be completely shut down; even partially suspension of operation can qualify you for the tax credit.  • A calendar quarter with a substantial decline in gross receipts. For 2020, this was defined as a 50% reduction from the same quarter in 2019. For 2021, the reduction relative to 2019 was changed to 20%.  Other factors that may affect or limit eligibility include: • The small business status of a company • Sole proprietorship • Wages of related individuals  Again, a tax advisor will help you navigate most eligibility issues.  What Wages are Eligible for the Credit?  All wages and health insurance benefits paid in a qualifying time period (and not covered in a PPP loan or other relief offering) can count as eligible wages. For 2020, the covered period is from March 13th – December 31st. For 2021, the three eligible quarters are January 1st – March 31st, April 1st – June 30th, and July 1st – September 30th. Just because an employer qualifies in one year or one quarter does not mean they will automatically qualify in both years or all quarters. How Do You Calculate the Tax Credit? For 2020, the maximum credit is $5,000 per employee for the entire year. Qualifying wages of up to $10,000 are eligible for a 50% credit. $10,000 x 50% = $5000 (per employee) For 2021, the maximum credit is $7,000 per quarter per employee. Since the ERTC only ran through September 30, 2021, this means a maximum of up to $21,000 per employee for the year. $10,000 x 70% = $7,000 (per employee per quarter) Note: if an employee did not have $10,000 in qualifying wages per quarter, the claimable tax credit would be reduced accordingly. How is the Tax Credit Claimed? The credit can be claimed on Form 941. If you need to amend a claim for 2020 or for one or more quarters of 2021, you may use Form 941-X. The IRS, National Federation of Independent Business, payroll processors, tax preparers, and other trade associations may all have additional resources for you to review as you determine eligibility and as you look to file a claim. If you have questions, please reach out to Ryan Carroll. Emily McGee Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2137 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2136/Two-Expos-24-months-apart#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2136 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2136&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2136/Two-Expos-24-months-apart Leaving New Orleans at the close of HPBExpo was surreal in March of 2020. The New Orleans Health Department had announced the first confirmed case of COVID 19 in the city that week, exhibitors and attendees were getting antsy, and the staff just wanted to go home. Our leadership told us to be prepared to work from home for “two weeks or so, until the pandemic eases.” Little did we know… While the streets of New Orleans were still packed with the typical tourists and party-goers, we wiped down our hotel rooms and ordered take out. We witnessed managers of the New Orleans Convention Center laying off staff on that Saturday. HPBExpo was the last event. Everything scheduled for the foreseeable future was canceled. We boarded half empty flights, made it home, and settled in for what has turned out to be the next two years. It’s amazing to think about how much we all have been through since March of 2020, and the close of that HPBExpo. Two years later, we’ve arrived in Atlanta. We’re all very weary of restrictions and masks and mandates, but HPBExpo 2022 arrived at an opportune time. Not only is spring in the air in Atlanta, but Omicron is receding and vaccines have made this all manageable. We are ready to get together. Like all cities, downtown Atlanta is a changed landscape. The streets are eerily quiet during the day, nothing like the bustle we saw in New Orleans a couple of years ago. But it is starting to fill as our attendees arrive. The excitement is building as we are seeing friends and colleagues in person, who we’ve only seen on Zoom for the past two years. People were cautious about this Expo. It’s only in the past couple of weeks that registration is taking off and we are now at higher levels than in New Orleans. The whole atmosphere is different. It’s filled with hope and excitement as we gather. Our world and our work environment have changed forever. We will continue to have virtual meetings and work from home sometimes. But this week in Atlanta proves that we still need to come together and celebrate our industry. Emily McGee Thu, 03 Mar 2022 12:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2136 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2134/Electrification--Lessons-Learned-From-Others#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2134 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2134&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2134/Electrification--Lessons-Learned-From-Others Are there ever new ideas out there? Of course, but forced electrification (the banning of natural gas, propane, or wood as energy/heat sources) is not one of those new ideas. Some North American cities and provinces, and European nations have already made this move. So, like reading the reviews of a restaurant or a movie to best understand if it is worth your time or money, wouldn’t it make sense for U.S. and Canadian policy-makers to examine the initial outcomes of these efforts in places where it is already happening? We’ve read these reviews and have real concerns about these policies – and you should too. Some North American cities and European nations have already made these hasty decisions and have had poor outcomes. Mandates to shift energy consumption entirely to electricity ignores some looming problems rarely talked about by environmental advocates hoping for the changes. Do we even have reliable infrastructure to transition our energy consumption to electricity? Further, how will we be able to produce enough energy to meet the increased electrical demand? The second question is easier to answer: burn more fossil fuels. Until we allow the technology to catch up, burning more fossil fuels is the only way we can currently produce enough electricity to keep up with demand. California for example, the state that produces the second most renewable energy, has at its peak this year only been able to supply its grid with 94% renewable electricity for only four seconds of the day; great progress but still a far cry from being able to eliminate all fossil fuels. The EU has made large investments in renewables and have attempted to get rid of burning fossil fuels for electricity generation and home heating. The result is an increase in electricity rates. A report from Bank of America forecasts a 54% increase in energy bills from 2020 levels. How will lower- and middle-class families afford a similar spike on their electricity bills? What about Americans on fixed incomes? In Western Europe where the energy crisis is the worst, we are seeing forced blackouts to allow the production to catch up. Safety should also be considered when making these decisions. Without fuel choices, what do you do when the electricity goes out due to storms? Recently, the Sierra Nevada region of California was hit with a large snowstorm knocking out power for days. Thankfully the county was able to distribute propane as quickly as possible to help some homes run generators. This effort was able to keep seniors’ oxygen tanks flowing, and homes of newborns heated. Why would governments actively pursue banning these lifesaving fuel options? Everyone wants a cleaner, more sustainable environment. We also must consider the current technology and human safety. It is clear there is a need for fuel choice as we transition to the energy realities of the future. The negative consequences felt by early adopters of forced electrification were forecasted by some but were not a guarantee. Much like being the first person to try a new restaurant, it is hard to predict if the meal will be perfect for you. HPBA offers this word of caution as the ramifications of such action rear their head not only internationally, but in our own backyard. It is imperative that policymakers and regulators use the reviews of other ‘patrons’ to inform their decisions moving forward. Emily McGee Tue, 15 Feb 2022 18:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2134 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2101/The-Federal-Government-makes-it-official-it-will-cost-more-to-heat-this-winter-in-most-regions#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2101 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2101&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2101/The-Federal-Government-makes-it-official-it-will-cost-more-to-heat-this-winter-in-most-regions Anyone who has purchased gasoline recently already suspects that energy may cost more this winter, but some families, in some parts of the country, may be in for a really big surprise. On October 13th the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their annual report known as the Winter Fuels Outlook. In this assessment, EIA calculates home heating costs for four regions of the U.S., and the five major fuels used, based on the most recent weather and energy price data.   One of the most striking items in this report is that virtually all households in the U.S. will see an increase in heating costs, based on the combination of higher energy prices, and forecasts of a colder winter that last year.    Families that heat with oil will see an average increase in expenditures of 43% over last year. While households that heat with natural gas will see an average national increase of 30% in expenditures, those in the Midwest will see an increase of 48%, followed by western families with an increase of 23 %. Even families in the south, that heat with propane, will see a 43% increase in winter heating costs. All the details can be found in the EIA report.    This report makes no assumptions about power outages, which are increasingly common in many areas, as we saw in Oregon and Texas last February. HPBA members know it has always paid to have a secondary source of heat, to provide security and create options to balance out price spikes. In Texas, Todd Harkrider, a fireplace retailer, noted: “most of our customers stayed nice and cozy inside their homes despite the electrical outage last winter, using their gas fireplaces for heat and cooking on their gas stoves.  Some told me they were the most popular house in the neighborhood since they were the only place with heat.”  In Colorado, Lesley Short, owner of Lehrer’s Fireplace shops in Denver, adds, “If you’ve lived in Colorado very long, you know that blizzards can knock out our power, which is why lots of folks have either a gas fireplace, or an EPA-certified wood insert to keep warm, not to mention an outdoor grill for emergency cooking.” The annual report from EIA is an early warning for what consumers are going to face this year. Our hope is this encourages consumers to think about a secondary source of heat – something our retailers know all about.     Emily McGee Wed, 13 Oct 2021 17:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2101 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2080/HPBA-Statement-in-Response-to-AG-Letter-to-EPA#Comments 0 https://members.hpba.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6757&ModuleID=12903&ArticleID=2080 https://members.hpba.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2080&PortalID=26&TabID=6757 https://members.hpba.org/Resources/HPBA-Blog/ID/2080/HPBA-Statement-in-Response-to-AG-Letter-to-EPA The manufacturers that HPBA represents have made massive investments over the past three decades to develop the next generation of cleaner-burning wood stoves. As industry has long identified, one major challenge is how best to replicate (or even be predictive of) real-world conditions in a lab during the testing process. Over a two-year period, industry – with input from EPA, industry members, state air regulators, and other experts – has led the way in developing the first-of-its-kind cordwood test method, ASTM 3053. This test method was ultimately adopted as the first (and, for many years, the only) cordwood test method available for certification purposes. This method is believed to be the closest to real-world conditions. The recent letter from the Attorneys General urging EPA to cease certifying appliances tested with ASTM 3053 is a naked political play to replace this consensus-based test method with a proprietary method – ironically, a method that liberally borrows from the ASTM method – developed by one state behind closed doors. Despite requests from industry and EPA, virtually no performance data has been made publicly available and the process did not allow for any industry involvement. It appears to us that there is a concerted effort, led by NESCAUM and its allies, to make it impossible for the small businesses in our industry to continue to manufacture and sell wood-heating products. For many people, wood is the best way to heat their homes and efforts like this will ensure that old, non-certified stoves remain in use for years to come. The new Step 2 certified stoves are unquestionably cleaner than older stoves and should be available for homeowners who opt for wood heat. Emily McGee Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2080