December 11, 2019
New House Legislation Would Fund Changeout Programs
Leading Fireplace Association Supports Legislation to Fund Wood Heater Changeouts
Arlington, VA – December 11, 2019 – The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) today expressed its strong support for the Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 (WHERA - HR 5391). The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today by Congressman Welch (D-VT) with Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) as the lead Republican. An identical bill was introduced in the Senate (S. 2274) by Senator Carper (D-DE) with Senator Murkowski (R-AK) as the lead Republican.
WHERA would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a grant program to provide local, state, and regional jurisdictions with federal funds to replace older wood-burning appliances with newer, cleaner burning and more efficient options.
“HPBA has been a proponent of a national changeout incentive program for many years and we are delighted to support this bill. The best way to improve air quality and empower consumers to choose the best heating option for their home is to provide these incentives,” stated Jack Goldman, President and CEO of HPBA.
For more than three decades, HPBA has worked with states, tribes, air agencies, and the EPA in support of changeout programs.
“We’ve seen many successful changeout programs in various regions and states, but they have been limited by a lack of stable funding. These programs are perfect examples of successful public-private partnerships between local retailers and communities. A federal funding program would provide this clean air strategy to areas, especially rural communities, that otherwise couldn’t afford this option,” Goldman continued.
HPBA also works with the EPA to educate consumers about the best way to use wood to heat their homes via the Burn Wise program. Launched in 2009, Burn Wise is an EPA project designed to provide educational material to consumers on better burning practices to reduce emissions.
About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.
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Media Contact: Emily McGee, 703-522-0086, ext. 116, mcgee@hpba.org