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Monday, January 07, 2008

Environment - Outdoor wood fired boilers not the only culprit

The ILB has had number stories about concerns raised by outdoor wood-fired boilers used to heat homes. Today Mary Wilds of the NWI Times reports on another concern - indoor wood-fired stoves that may not meet already existing federal and state requirements, and what can be done. It looks like having rules on the books is only the first step:

DYER | A proposed ordinance governing the use of wood-burning heating units won't be any help to John Kaleel.

Dyer originally began exploring the possibility of an ordinance after Kaleel approached the town for help in dealing with his Fagan Street neighbor's wood-fired heating unit. The unit emits such noxious smoke and odor it negatively impacts his quality of life, Kaleel said.

But Kaleel's neighbor's unit is an indoor unit, not an outdoor one, Redevelopment Director Rick Eberly said, and because indoor wood-fired units are already regulated by state and federal law, any ordinance Dyer passed could only deal with outdoor units. There currently are none in town, officials said.

Eberly said he had not had time to research indoor units prior to the study session.

Kaleel and his wife Tina said they were dismayed at the news and frustrated by the situation.

Their neighbor, who did not attend the study session, installed a taller smokestack the first time the Kaleels approached the town about the problem.

Officials had hoped the higher stack would solve the problem, but odors and lingering smoke have remained, John Kaleel said.

Since learning the unit is indoors, Eberly has tried to get the Indiana Department of Environmental Management involved. Last month, an IDEM official asked for information on the unit, including the name of its manufacturer and whether it is on the list of those approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. So far, the neighbor has not complied, Kaleel and Eberly said.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 7, 2008 01:06 PM
Posted to Environment