Hot News
DECEMBER 2020
Save the Date:
HPBExpo Rescheduled for June 23-26 in Louisville, Kentucky!
Registration

Registration is now open for HPBExpo 2021, June 23-26 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Register here and join in the excitement of a new Expo city!
HPBExpo Site Visit
The HPBExpo Department had a successful site visit to Louisville, Kentucky on November 9th. While there, we met with representatives of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Kentucky Exposition Center and got tours of the center, hotels, and city to prepare for Expo. Everyone is thrilled that we will be in Louisville in June and starting to plan exciting and unique activities for our attendees.
Exhibit Booth Space Assignments

Attention Exhibitors! With the floor plan set for Louisville, we are starting on reassignments.
 
Booth reassignments for exhibitors who had previously signed up to exhibit in Nashville will occur in order of Priority ranking from December 1st through the 18th. The complete reassignment schedule with dates and times is now available below, as well as the preliminary floor plans.
 
After the completion of booth reassignments, exhibit space will be available to other companies on a first-come, first-served basis.


Please direct any questions you may have to Amy Jackson or Anita Derouin.
Housing

We are currently negotiating our hotel blocks and will send out a notification in late December when housing will be open for booking. If you had an existing hotel reservation in Nashville, we have canceled it and you will receive priority notice about booking your new hotel in Louisville.

Details on the show will continue to be updated at HPBExpo.com, so be sure to check back in the coming months for updates on new procedures and plans as we continue preparing for next year.
Louisville Attractions to Check out
Horse racing, bourbon, baseball bats; there is something in Louisville for everyone! Start planning your trip by checking out all the things to do in Louisville (Bourbon City®).
Follow HPBExpo on social media
Government Affairs
HPBA Presidential Transition and Election Report
The transition from the Trump administration to the Biden administration has officially begun. During the last week of November, President-elect Biden began to name nominees to his Cabinet, including Antony Blinken for Secretary of State and Janet Yellen for Treasury Secretary. We expect to see a steady stream of nominee announcements in the coming days on key positions in the Biden Cabinet.

One administration announcement that HPBA will be following closely is for EPA Administrator. We are increasingly hearing that Collin O’Mara, current President of the National Wildlife Federation, is under serious consideration. In Congress, control of the Senate rests with two runoff races in Georgia that will occur on January 5, 2021. Republicans currently hold 50 seats in the upper chamber and Democrats hold 48. Two scenarios could unfold.

To read the rest of this report, click below.
EPA Denies Extension of Sell-Through for Step 1 Products
Late last month, EPA provided official word to HPBA that they would NOT be providing a sell-through period for Step 1 products. With the change in administration, we do not anticipate EPA publishing any official word on the denial of COVID-related sell-through relief.

Thank you to everyone who helped us with our advocacy efforts on this issue. EPA made it clear that it was not for lack of effort on our part, just that EPA was delayed throughout the process by other agency priorities.

This is extremely disappointing news, especially in light of the second wave of COVID-19 cases impacting families and small businesses. More information and updates can be found on our website.

  • Is there still a donation option?

No. EPA will not allow the donation program to restart because it would require a published rule change to distinguish between prohibited sales and donations. There is not enough time for EPA to do this and the rule change would face opposition that would kill the effort.

  • What can dealers do now with any remaining Step 1 products?

With no sell-through or a donation option, any Step 1 products remaining can only be recycled or destroyed. They cannot even be given away, as the EPA prohibits the transfer of ownership of a Step 1 product after May 15, 2020.

If you have any additional questions not covered by our website, please contact Rachel Feinstein.
Oral Argument Date Set in NSPS Litigation
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has scheduled oral arguments for HPBA v. EPA for Thursday, January 28th. The lone issue in the litigation is the audit provision of the 2015 NSPS.

If the current court process holds, we expect virtual oral arguments. The three-judge panel will likely be assigned before the end of the year. Keep an eye on Hot News for future updates.
Biomass Stove Tax Credit Expires December 31, 2020
The $300 tax credit for purchasing a qualifying biomass stove is set to expire on December 31, 2020. In order to claim the credit on a 2020 tax return, both the purchase AND complete installation must happen on or before December 31, 2020. See our tax credit website page for more information, including FAQs, consumer resources you can share, and more.

HPBA continues to work to get the credit extended before the end of this year during the “Lame Duck” session of Congress. It looks like there might be an opportunity to extend the credit, unchanged, in a package that will be needed to fund the U.S. government past December 11, 2020, when the current spending authorization expires. HPBA will keep members apprised of new developments. Please contact Rachel Feinstein if you have any questions.
Updated State Resources on COVID Impacts
As COVID-19 cases have climbed higher in recent weeks, many states are announcing COVID-related closures and restrictions. HPBA’s state and local tracking vendor, MultiState, has been tracking state orders, closures, restrictions, and reopenings throughout the year. The page can be viewed here. If you have questions about the updates, please contact Chris Conner.
Significant Vent-Free Restrictions Approved by ASHRAE 62.2 Board
In a surprising turn of events, the ASHRAE Board of Directors voted to approve ASHRAE 62.2 Addendum ‘a’ for publication, despite having rejected the same addendum last year. As a reminder, Addendum ‘a’ will reduce the allowable emissions of NO2 to about 10% of what was previously accepted. Due to the new constraints, Addendum ‘a’ would effectively ban vent-free space heaters in ASHRAE 62.2-compliant residential homes. HPBA and members of the Vent-Free Alliance will be meet in December to review this action by the ASHRAE Board and consider next steps.
ICC Accepting Proposals for 2024 Codes
The International Code Council is starting its 2021/2022 Code Development cycle. The deadline for accepting new Group A code change proposals is January 11, 2021. Included in the Group A codes are the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and Chapters 12-33 of the International Residential Code (IRC). If anyone would like to submit any changes, please contact Eric Adair. For additional details, please refer to ICC schedule.
Expo Education Spotlight
Each month, we will highlight one of our education sessions scheduled for HPBExpo 2021 to give you a taste of what you can learn if you attend.
Instructor: Casey Harvey, Director of Sales - Ray Murray Inc.
Outdoor Kitchens 101:
“Outdoor Living has never been HOTTER! Families across the country are transforming their backyards and extending their homes outside.

In this impactful 60-minute session you will learn the fundamental tips and tricks that professional designers employ to design functional and beautiful outdoor kitchens.

We’ll review winning layouts and also how to avoid the most common design and installation pitfalls. Learn the simple questions that you need to ask every time so that you can tailor the design to meet the specific needs of every client. We will also dive into the basics of outdoor kitchen sales and marketing.”
Promotions Updates
October was National Fireplace Month and HPBA launched an aggressive promotion to remind consumers about the comfort and joy of a fireplace – and perhaps encourage people to buy new hearth products.

With COVID-19 on the rise across most of the country this fireplace season, it’s likely that consumers are spending more time at home than ever before. This year for #NationalFireplaceMonth, HPBA conducted a national media relations and social media campaign, “Home is Where the Hearth Is,” that spotlighted the importance of your fireplace as a center of rest and peace and encouraged people to make the most of their home’s focal point this this season. 
Now that the temperatures are dropping (in most of North America…), we turn our attention to #Wintercue, HPBA’s annual campaign to encourage consumers to go outside and grill even when it gets cold. Last month we shared a toolkit of materials with our retailer members that includes social media messaging, press releases, and other content that can be used to get people to fire up their grills in the colder months.
Attention Manufacturer Members
The HPBA Nominating Committee is considering people to serve on the Board of Directors. Manufacturing members who would like to nominate someone from the manufacturing sector should contact Jack Goldman. You will need to have five signatures in support of your nominee.
Reminder!
HPBA has a new banking relationship with Bank of America, and our SunTrust accounts are now closed. For wiring information, please contact Robert Washington.

NEW PAYMENT ADDRESS:
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
P.O. Box 412397
Boston, MA 02241-2397