Hearth Insight

September 2024

Government Affairs News

REMEMBER TO VOTE!

With legislative sessions ended, the focus has turned political in all of the states. Legislators and statewide officials are on the ballot as well as initiatives in Washington and Alaska that could impact your business.

Make sure you are paying attention to what is happening with elections in your area and above all else…make sure you VOTE and encourage others to do the same. Every vote does count and every year races are won on slim margins.

EVEN WITH NATURAL GAS INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT, WASHINGTON STATE WILL NOT REST

Washington state has a number of issues we are working on right now:

The Washington State Department of Ecology is hoping to introduce a woodstove standards bill in 2025. They are working with us to see if there is agreement. The primary emphasis will be matching our woodstove standards with EPA’s – which is fine – but we want to avoid language that would allow the state DOE to go further than those standards in the future. In addition, we are concerned with language requiring state DOE review of EPA test certifications before a woodstove can be sold in Washington State.  Our opinion is that, if the EPA certifies a stove, that should be allowed in Washington. If the Department has a problem with testing, they should address that broadly with EPA rather than banning a stove from in state sales.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is asking for stakeholder feedback on a rule they are drafting that would establish a quarantine of untreated, out-of-state firewood to prevent the introduction of plant pests and bee pests. They have not released proposed language yet but will be alerting NWHPBA when they have that language so we can respond. In addition, we will send out information to interested members when online meetings are scheduled.

The Washington State Building Code Council is working on updates to the commercial energy and building codes.  We expect to see several proposals further pushing electrification, but we also expect to see proposals that will allow more efficient gas appliances in commercial projects. One particular proposal would allow safe, open flame cooking appliances and other devices on multi family balconies. This will make it clearer that barbecues and firepits are allowed under the code with specific requirements. Residential codes will be worked on next. As soon as all proposals are submitted we will send a link out to Washington State members. 

NWHPBA Members Step Up to

"Ban the Gas Bans"

NWHPBA members pledged $66,001 in funds to help the signature gathering effort to get IP 2066 (the Ban the Gas Bans) on the Ballot in November. In addition, NWHPBA donated $20,000 for a total of $86,501. But, in addition, HPBA's Gas Section donated an additional $20,000 and other companies donated directly.

Funds went to Main Street Matters To Washington, a political action committee ran by the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Also, a half dozen of our member's stores served as signature gathering locations. Thanks to everyone who was part of this tremendous show of support!

But our work is not over, it's time to get over the finish line! See lead article in this newsletter.

Efforts to gather signatures exceeded expectations. By the due date well over 500,000 signatures were gathered. A few weeks after, another 200,000 were turned in. This show of support suggests Washingtonians are not enthusiastic about restricting energy choice.

The NWHPBA Communications Committee publishes the Hearth Insight monthly. If you have a story or article you would like to have shared, email the office.