New Source Performance Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) New Source Performance Standards, (NSPS) the program which governs emissions for wood burning appliances, is about to undergo its first revision in 20 years. Initiated in 1988, the NSPS controls the sale and import of "wood heaters," also known as wood stoves.
Since this revision may impact all wood burning appliances, the HPBA Board of Directors has asked its members to partner with the association in the fight against results that could be potentially harmful for our industry. Our legal, research and legislative staff are working hard to effect a positive outcome for our industry and our members.
Coalition members in the NSPS Initiative can enter the members only section to see the latest developments in this process.
This initiative is anticipated to span several years and will involve a substantial amount of legal advice and technical input. The HPBA Board of Directors has directed that all members who make any product related to wood burning, or who will be directly or indirectly affected by the NSPS outcome, share in 50% of all incurred expenses. The other 50% will be covered by HPBA's general fund.
If you are not a member of the association and want to join, send us an email at governmentaffairs@hpba.org. If you are currently a member, but have lost or forgot your password, please let us know immediately and we can supply it.
All are welcome to join the NSPS initiative. Members who are current in their assessments can gain access to the many fronts of the NSPS initiative, including memorandas, EPA documents, budget information, and so much more!
We have created an NSPS web portal that can be found in our newly remodeled website.
You can find it here: www.hpba.org/government-affairs/nsps-members
Outstanding Members GO GO GO
Bob Hill, new Region 8 HPBA Board Representative, faces two or more years on the esteemed Board with Style. He is already meeting with the Rocky Mountain Board by Teleconference and will do so in person as well.
As a good state representative does, he wants to know first hand what the concerns of his constituents are. What better way than to listen, listen, listen as he has and is doing.
The election was a landslide and we are proud of all Hill's hard work and foresight. A miracle is always a long term passage of persistence, thought, concern and action. Hill's election is therefore a miracle and an enormous accomplishment. He gained the trust and friendship of leaders in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming as well as Arizona.
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HPBA Homepage
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HPB Education Foundation
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Wood Stove Changeout |
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Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association · 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22209 · ph 703-522-0086 · www.hpba.org · hpbamail@hpba.org |
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Economic Stimulus Bill Promotes Renewable
Energy to Consumers
New Legislation Increases Tax Credit for Homeowners
Arlington, VA - February 17, 2009: The 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation signed into law today by President Obama includes a 30% tax credit (up to $1,500) for the purchase in 2009 and 2010 of a 75%-efficient biomass-burning appliance as measured using a lower heating value. The tax credit provisions are extended improvements of the legislation that passed in October 2008. The major changes are an extension of the credit to 2010 and the increase on the credit from $300 to 30% of the total cost.
While the new tax credit takes effect immediately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not issued the guidelines for determining what stoves meet the efficiency requirements to qualify for the credit or how a manufacturer will qualify their products. These guidelines are expected by March 31, 2009, however the credit applies to all qualifying stoves sold in 2009. Once the IRS guidelines are issued, wood and pellet stove manufacturers will test their stoves and will notify their retailers about their models that qualify.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), in conjunction with the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI), worked to educate elected officials and their staffs on the benefits and energy efficiency of wood and pellet stoves. As the cost of heating oil and natural gas rise, this tax credit will help consumers save on energy costs.
"This stimulus legislation supports renewable energy and will help consumers control their winter heating costs," said Jack Goldman, president of HPBA. "It is a great example of how the hearth industry can work in Washington and on a grassroots level and help pass good legislation. With the long-term rise in home heating prices, this tax credit will help alleviate some of the initial cost for those consumers wanting to purchase a 75%-efficient wood or pellet stove next year."
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, VA, is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of hearth, barbecue and patio appliances, fuels and accessories. For more information on HPBA and the tax credit developments, go to http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=122667980&sid=5893104&m=666343&u=HPBA&s=http://www.hpba.org. |
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1901 North Moore Street, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209
Outstanding Members GO GO GO
Bob Hill, new Region 8 HPBA Board Representative, faces two or more years on the esteemed Board with Style. He is already meeting with the Rocky Mountain Board by Teleconference and will do so in person as well.
As a good state representative does, he wants to know first hand what the concerns of his constituents are. What better way than to listen, listen, listen as he has and is doing.
The election was a landslide and we are proud of all Hill's hard work and foresight. A miracle is always a long term passage of persistence, thought, concern and action. Hill's election is therefore a miracle and an enormous accomplishment. He gained the trust and friendship of leaders in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming as well as Arizona.
Hill will address in his column his goals for this new opportunity. Thank you, Bob Hill for representing our interests and those of our cousins to the East with such tenacity.
John Fillmore retires from the AHPBA Board as Government Affairs Chair into his New Green Hearth and Barbeque Products lines and is onto new political challenges as well. We are grateful to you, John, for your efforts in the political arena on our behalf and for keeping your sense of humor through thick and thin. Best of Luck to You on All Your Endeavors.
Larry Grogan, Past President, NFI Certified Instructor and Forever Treasurer, is off to Washington, DC this weekend for the Government Affairs Academy. Grogan will be hob nobbing with all the newly elected DC officials as well as learning how to lead grassroots campaigns in Arizona.
HPBA and other Political and Media Experts will Teach everything they know to our faithful friend, Grogan. Expect another JFK upon his return or at least the newest version of Ronnie Reagan. Rush Limbaugh, Be Very Afraid.
SHHHHHHHHHHHThe Woodstove Changeout Program by SRP is in the Hands of the EPA
So far, that's all we know. Stay tuned for an update which can occur any day now. I emailed John Crouch, HPBA about any news and he emailed Larry Brockman, EPA for an update and Brockman.so it goes. We will send you're the information as soon as it gets to us. The SRP plan was due to the EPA April 17,2009.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Bob Bower and Cory Church have arranged the perfect weekend for us at the Carefree Resort July 24-26. The best speakers are ours. Larry Grogan organized the CEU classes on Friday. If you take every class offered from Friday through Saturday you can earn 13.5 ceus . This breaks all our previous records and is all for you in these lean and mean times. We cover Lean Management Techniques, Managing a Retail Store In An Inflationary Recession and Hiring and Retaining Excellent Employees. We will get through these challenging days together and be better than Ever. Register Today. SO Far our favorite Sponsors are HHT, Lennox and Robert H. Peterson. Call your best manufacturer today and bring them on board.
See you In Carefree!
New Board Members Needed
Looking for excitement and good works? Be a leader and join the board. If interested, Please contact Bob Hill or Fran Smith. The election is in August. We need a few good men and women. Always. Thanks.
Education
In March we had a NFI pellet review course led by Larry Grogan and proctored by Vice President Cory Church. There will be more offerings after the annual conference. Be thinking what courses you need and contact Grogan at Lgrogan@cox.net. We will go north, south, east and west to fulfill your NFI goals.
Lets Start An Arizona Job Tree
If you are looking for work or good people, please let us know and we will post your needs on our website. Bob Bower is our web guru and can be reached at Bob@rfxmotorsports.com.
VESTA AWARDS THOUGHTS
I loved the Vesta Awards Ceremony at Expo. The excited recipients were visibly thrilled to win an award. Some winners have only been in business on our shores for a short time. Their joy was palatable. I loved feeling their pleasure at being recognized as excellent whether they represented a large or small
Operation. It was as if we were hearing the American dream come true again and again.
In this strained time of economic loss and reorganization with tried and true practices failing and disturbing our sense of security, the Vesta Awards renewed my faith in the American System. Small or large, new or established, everyone had an equal opportunity to win. People with perfect English but slight accents carried off trophies. Strong and young women represented large companies and spoke well and true. This small set of moments at Expo made the week for me. You can go to meetings forever, attend every reception out there and dine and gossip with your cronies over comfort food until the cows come home but the inspiration for me, the glory for me, were the little people and big people grinning from ear to ear while thinking, "This is the place where it all can happen. This is still the place."
See you in Carefree. Be there and Be Square.
Fran Smith
Executive Director
AHPBA
