Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
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CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

December 2007 Edition

In this issue:

 

Clean Air Agency proposes expanding outdoor burn ban boundaries

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is proposing a rule change that would ban land-clearing burning throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties beginning July 1, 2008, followed by a ban on residential burning beginning July 1, 2010.

State law currently prohibits land-clearing and residential burning in incorporated cities and Urban Growth Areas.  However, it also requires banning this kind of burning in any area where reasonable alternatives to burning are available – alternatives like curb-side pick-up, grinding, chipping and composting. 

In recent months, Clean Air Agency staff met with solid waste officials and fire marshals in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to research the availability of alternatives.  Based on this research, we have determined that alternatives are reasonably available throughout these three counties. There is also widespread support for this burn boundary expansion within the health and fire service communities.

This proposed rule change does not affect agricultural, silvicultural management, recreational, or fire training burning.  It also does not affect burning for emergency clean-up of storm or flood debris.

A public hearing on the proposed rule change will be held by the Clean Air Agency’s Board of Directors on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 at the Seattle Public Library’s Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Avenue, beginning at 9:15 a.m.   A full copy of the proposed rule and other regulatory documents are available on the agency’s Web site at  www.pscleanair.org/actions/outdoorfires/rule_change.aspx .

The agency also will accept comments on the proposed rule change at the five January workshops listed below, via e-mail at outdoorburningcomments@pscleanair.org or by regular mail addressed to Lynn Sykes, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 1904 Third Ave., Suite 105, Seattle, WA  98101.

In addition to accepting comments on the proposed rule change at the January workshops, the agency will partner with health and solid waste representatives to discuss the health effects of and alternatives to outdoor burning.  The workshops will be open for people to stop by any time between 6:30 and 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Tuesday, Jan. 8
Key Peninsula Church
4213 Lackey Road, Lakebay

Thursday, Jan. 10
Graham Fire and Rescue
23014 70th Ave. E., Graham

Tuesday, Jan. 15
Carol Edwards Center
17301 133rd Ave. N.E., Woodinville

Thursday, Jan. 17
Key Bank
1212 Cole St., Enumclaw

Tuesday, Jan. 22
Arlington Boys and Girls Club
18513 59th Ave. N.E., Arlington

 

Wood stove replacement program takes off!

Residents of Marysville, Tacoma and areas of Pierce County have been quick to take advantage the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s new Wood Stove Replacement program.

In the first month of the program, over 225 people have submitted applications and expressed interest in replacing their pre-1995 wood stove or fireplace insert; nearly 100 of these have already pre-qualified and been sent discount coupons to start shopping for a cleaner heating device.  An additional 10 people have been referred for the low-income aspect of the Tacoma program.

Coupons for discounts on new heating devices are being offered to residents within the City of Marysville and within the Tacoma/Pierce County community at-large, because these two areas are at risk of violating federal air pollution standards.  The goal of these incentives is to help reduce residential wood smoke by replacing old wood stoves and fireplace inserts with cleaner-burning, more-efficient home heating options: freestanding stoves, fireplace inserts, central furnaces and heat pumps. 

Funds -- ranging from $200 to $750 -- are available on a first come, first served basis, and incentives will be available until funds are exhausted or February 29, 2008 -- whichever comes first.  The cleanest heating devices are awarded the highest discount. 

Additionally, half the grant funds for the Tacoma/Pierce County program are set aside for low-income households, allowing $2,500 per household for natural gas, propane, pellet, or electric appliances (stoves, inserts, natural gas furnaces, or electric heat pumps).

Support for these two programs comes from two Washington Department of Ecology grants, additional funds from the Clean Air Agency, along with the collaboration (and in some cases additional discounts and/or weatherization services) from our great partners: Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish PUD, Tacoma PUD, City of Tacoma, Pierce County, City of Marysville, American Lung Association of Washington, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Northwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.

Program details are available on our agency Web site at www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement .  To apply:

 

Holiday clean air tips

  1. Use manufactured logs for your holiday fire instead of fire wood, or fill your fireplace with pillar candles for a romantic glow (cleaner burning, less emissions).  Learn more at www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/mfglogs.aspx . 

  2. Switch your wood stove or fireplace to a gas insert (less emissions, works in a power outage, and is OK to use during a burn ban). For more information on clean heating choices, visit  www.pscleanair.org/cleanheating .

  3. Use LED lights for holiday decorating (save energy, reduce greenhouse gases, and save $$ on your electric bill).

  4. Recycle or compost your holiday tree; don’t burn it (no emissions).  For more information on burning alternatives, visit  www.pscleanair.org/actions/outdoorfires/alternatives.aspx .

  5. Recycle your gift wrap; don’t burn it (avoid toxic emissions because burning your trash is illegal).

  6. Shop online (less Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) = less emissions).  For more information on driving less, click to www.pscleanair.org/transportationchoices .

  7. Give experiences instead of stuff (less VMTs and less waste).  For ideas, visit www.wastefreeholidays.com .

  8. Give gift cards (less VMTs and less waste).

  9. Buy locally-made goods (less VMTs).

  10. When buying electronics or appliances for gifts, consider those that bear the EnergyStar logo (save energy and save $$ on your electric bill).  For more information on energy efficiency, click to www.pscleanair.org/efficiency .

  11. Carpool with friends to holiday gatherings and to the malls (less VMTs).

  12. Give a gift to the Earth, and offset your holiday travel.  For more information on carbon offsetting, here are just a few sources of information: Climate Trust.org, CarbonConcierge.com, or Bonneville Environmental Foundation at www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags . 

 

Monthly air quality data summary: October*

October* air quality was in the “Good” category for 19 days and in the moderate category for 12 days.  There were no days in either the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or “Unhealthy” categories.

For the month, temperatures recorded at SeaTac Airport averaged 50.5 degrees, 2.2 degrees below normal and 9.4 degrees cooler than temperatures averaged in September.  SeaTac rainfall for the month totaled 3.32 inches, slightly more than the normal of 3.19 inches.

For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/07-10.aspx .

* Because of the time it takes to review data for quality assurance and process data for reports, our air quality discussions in each “Newsline” edition will be two months previous.  Thus our report for this edition is for October 2007.

 

Announcements

We’re looking for a few (opinionated) volunteers

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on our agency’s outreach materials.  If you are willing to volunteer 10 minutes of your time for a quick survey, e-mail KimberleyC@pscleanair.org by Jan. 7, 2008.  Let us know if you prefer to be contacted by phone or e-mail.

 

Permits open for comment

The following Puget Sound Clean Air Agency permit is now open for public comment:

  • Nucor Steel Seattle Inc., Permit #9669 (Notice of Construction)
    Comment period:  Oct. 22, 2007 to Jan. 14, 2008
  • Nucor Steel Seattle Inc., Permit #10281 (Air Operating Permit Modification) Comment period:  Nov. 13, 2007 to Jan. 14, 2008

 

Additionally, a public hearing will be held:

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008
7:30 p.m. (Agency representatives and Nucor staff available for questions for one hour prior to meeting)
Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens St., Seattle 98116

All comments relevant to the proposed permit conditions will be considered. Instructions for submitting comments are included in the "public notice" posted with the permit application. Visit www.pscleanair.org/announce/permits/openpermits.aspx for permit details.

To receive notice about permitting; proposed Orders of Approval, Regulatory Orders, Variances and Operating Permits; hearings on those actions; extensions of comment periods; and final actions; simply sign up or change your profile to receive e-mail notification at www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx .

 

Request for Proposal (RFP)

  • Recruitment Services for Hiring Finance Manager, closes Dec. 19, 2007 at noon
  • DOCM Installation on Fleet Vehicles, closes Jan. 11, 2008 at noon

 

As a public agency, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues formal requests for proposals and qualifications for the purchase of certain equipment or supplies, or to enlist professional services to supplement our work. The Clean Air Agency is now accepting proposals electronically. See the RFP document for details on the requirements to submit proposals by hard copy or electronically. www.pscleanair.org/announce/notices/rfprfq.aspx .

 

 

About the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency serves the people of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.  We work together to clean the air we breathe and protect our climate through education, incentives and enforcement.  To learn more about our work, and how you can be a part of it, too, visit us at www.pscleanair.org .

 

 

About the Clean Air Newsline

Clean Air Newsline is a monthly electronic newsletter to provide air quality information to the residents of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Subscribers receive the latest on air quality news, trends and projects that affect our local communities and the air we breathe. Feel free to pass the information along to others.

We also use the Newsline as needed to send timely and important messages about burn bans, Smog Watches and early calls to action when air quality deteriorates.

If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, you can do so at www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx . Be sure to select Clean Air Newsline to be added to the e-mailing list.