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- ----~ e III. PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT USE OF SOLID-FUEL SPACE-HEATING DEVICES DURING AIR POLLUTION EPISODES City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the topic. Don Arkell, Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA), noted that in July 1987, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for small particulate matter. Since that time, the air quality in Eugene has violated Federal air standards several times, particularly during winter months. Mr. Arkell said that the primary source of the violations is smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Federal Clean Air Act requires areas which exceed those standards to develop and implement enforceable con- trol measures to ensure that no violations occur. He indicated that LRAPA has adopted a plan that would restrict use of these devices during periods of poor air quality, but noted that local ordinances would need to be adopted to make these changes legal. This hearing is to provide for public input re- garding the proposed ordinances. Responding to questions from Mr. Rutan, Ralph Johnston of the LRAPA staff said that the phrase "visible emissions" refers to any visible smoke coming out of the chimney or smokestack. This standard is commonly used to regulate emissions. Enforcement would occur primarily on a complaint basis. Ms. Bascom asked whether the no-vi sible-emissions standard satisfies concerns raised earlier by wood stove manufacturers. Mr. Johnston said that this wording is acceptable to members of the wood stove industry, noting that the e industry would also like to see exemptions for EPA-certified wood stoves. Responding to questions from Mr. Bennett, Mr. Johnston said that the ordi- nance which the County is considering adopting is similar but includes addi- tional exemptions for certified wood stoves. Mr. Bennett felt that for ease of enforcement, all three jurisdictions should adopt the same ordinance. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. Anne Perrault, 2391 Jefferson Street, testified in favor of the ordinance. She voiced concern with allowing exemptions for certified wood stoves and said that in the future, the council should consider adopting even more stringent air quality standards. Jessie Gustafson, 1795 West 7th Avenue, spoke against the ordinance. Refer- ring to the ordinance exemption for persons who rely on wood stoves as their sole heating source, she said that because everyone has access to portable electric heaters, no one would be exempt from regulation. Ron Crasilneck, 3091 Hendricks Hill, offered revisions to the proposed ordi- nance. He commented that the industry is already over-regulated and suggest- ed that the ordinance contain exemptions for certified wood stoves and pellet stoves. He observed that on those few days in question, air quality in Lane County barely exceeds Federal health standards. He suggested the City con- sider a program of voluntary compliance and that the ordinance contain a e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 5, 1990 Page 2