N. Smithfield bans wood boilers
Published: November 12, 2008
NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. - North Smithfield has become the first town in Rhode Island to ban wood boilers, a cheap source of heat that can leave thick clouds of smoke.
The ban, adopted last month, came after an increasing number of people turned to wood boilers as the cost of natural gas, oil and electricity skyrocketed.
A typical wood boiler is smaller than a utility shed and stands outside a home. Fired with wood, it heats water that is pumped through a home to circulate heat.
The best systems use seasoned wood and meet anti-pollution standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But a report by a group of air quality officials found that one wood heater produced more pollution than 8,000 natural gas furnaces.
Reader Reactions
As the chairman of the ordinance committee that wrote the ordinance, I can assure you that North Smithfield, not only didn’t ban the units, but spent a great deal of time and research assuring residents that both users and those in close proximity do not have their rights taken away. The units permitted must comply with EPA Phase II standards and have distances established from abutting properties. My only real concern is that readers rely on media outlets to exercise some due diligence before reporting news. Shame on you!!
This story is completely false. North Smithfield did not ban outdoor furnaces. The town has drafted and passed an ordinance regulating them. I watch Channel 10 every morning and I am very surprised that they printed a story that is totally wrong. Shame on you for not doing your research.
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