Missouri bill fights against EPA wood-stove rules

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri is pushing back against proposed federal regulations for wood stoves.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Friday prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from regulating wood-burning heaters, unless specifically authorized by the Missouri Legislature.

The legislation is an attempt to prevent Missouri from helping implement a proposed rule change by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. That proposal would give manufactures five years to meet tougher standards reducing emissions from wood stoves by an estimated 80 percent.

The EPA's existing regulations date to 1988 and don't apply to all of the different kinds of wood-burning devices now in use.

Some manufacturers have said the EPA proposal would drive up their costs and force them to raise prices to a point where many consumers could no longer afford their products.

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Wood stove bill is HB1302.

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov