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Biomass boiler and furnace emissions and safety regulations in the Northeast States

11am, August 05th, 2015

The report and its findings are intended to provide public officials, state policy makers in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, and the regional and international biomass industry with information on the role that regionally compatible air emissions and safety standards and certification can play in supporting an expanded northeast market for renewable biomass consistent with maintaining safety and the environment. This report was prepared by the CONEG Policy Research Center, Inc. (Center) and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM).

The northeast region of the United States appears to be a logical market for biomass energy systems. The region has significant wood-based resources, yet is dependent upon fuel oil for residential and institutional heating more than any other region of the country. Woodcombustion, however, is one of the largest sources of primary particulate matter (PM) air pollution in the United States. What will be the outcome of the potential tension between rising public interest in biomass-based heating systems and public concerns with emissions and health impacts of such systems? Emission standards are becoming more stringent. Will they limit the market for biomass heating systems–with the potential underutilization of a regionally based energy resource; or lead to the emergence of a larger northeast market featuring more energy efficient, lower emitting biomass technologies?

Read the report here: Biomass boiler and furnace emissions and safety regulations in the Northeast States.

Institutions Involved

  • CONEG Policy Research Center
  • Inc. and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)
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