Committee considers rules to tighten certification and sales of wood‑burning devices amid air‑quality concerns

Senate Bill 5174, Department of Ecology request legislation, would give Ecology authority to adopt and enforce statewide emission standards for newly manufactured residential wood heaters, hydronic heaters and forced‑air wood furnaces and to verify manufacturers’ EPA test reports. Ecology also may adopt sell‑through rules for retailers and would be authorized to restrict the sale of devices within Washington if submitted test reports contain major deficiencies and manufacturers fail to address them. The bill would prohibit burning coal in a wood‑burning device and would not require removal or replacement of existing, lawfully installed stoves.

Kathy Taylor of Ecology said the bill responds to an EPA Office of Inspector General finding that federal oversight of the stove certification program has gaps — for example, deficient test reports and weak oversight — that allow noncompliant devices to be…