There will be a public hearing on proposed restrictions on outdoor wood boilers on Monday, June 14. It will be at the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College.
An informal informational meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. The actual public hearing is from 6 to 8 p.m.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley sent out a news release reminding Western New Yorkers to take advantage of the hearing to voice their concerns on the issue.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announcement earlier this week that new restrictions might be placed on operating requirements for both new and existing outdoor wood boilers.
Under the new restrictions, outdoor wood boilers would have to be at least 100 feet from neighboring properties and would have to be at least 18 feet in height.
“While I appreciate this proposal and its efforts to improve the environment and air quality across our state, I am concerned that it could substantially increase costs on Western New Yorkers who rely on outdoor wood boilers for home heating,” Hawley said. “With most new outdoor wood boilers costing thousands of dollars, these new restrictions could be unaffordable for many people whose boilers meet current DEC regulations.”
