Notices for Week of: AUGUST 25, 2005
PROPOSED STATE RULES
By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at http://vermont-archives.org/aparules/ovnotices.htm The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.
To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible
To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (828-2231).
Air Pollution Control Regulations, Subchapter XI, Low Emission Vehicles - Regulations to Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Motor Vehicles
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P040
AGENCY: Vt. Agency of Natural Resources
CONCISE SUMMARY: Vermont's transportation sector is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the State. The proposed rule establishes GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles for inclusion in Vermont's Low Emission Vehicle Program. Under the proposed rule, one set of GHG standards would be established for passenger cars, small light-duty trucks, and small SUVS, and another set would be established for large light-duty trucks and large SUVS. Both sets of GHG standards would be gradually phased in between model-years 2009 and 2016. When fully implemented during model-year 2016, new motor vehicles subject to the regulation would be required to emit approximately 30 percent fewer GHGs than without the regulation.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Automobile consumers, including individuals, businesses, and state and local government agencies; automobile manufacturers and dealers; the Enforcement and Air Pollution Control Divisions of the Agency of Natural Resources.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: When fully phased in with model-year 2016, it is estimated that the GHG standards will result in an average cost increase of roughly $1,000 for vehicles subject to the rule. However, these price increases are expected to be more than offset by lower monthly operating costs due primarily to increased fuel efficiency. Assuming a fuel price of $1.74 per gallon, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimated that the proposed GHG standards are expected to result in a monthly net savings of about $3.50 to $7.00. At higher fuel prices, the monthly savings for consumers are even greater. To estimate the proposed rule's impact on Vermont consumers, a cost analysis was conducted that assumes a fuel price of $2.10 and a vehicle life of ten years. Vermont consumers are expected to realize a net economic benefit of roughly $2,000 over the life of the vehicle. If gas prices increase, any economic benefit realized by Vermont consumers will also increase.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: A public hearing will be held on September 12, 2005 from 7pm to 9pm at the State Office Complex, Stanley Hall, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT. This hearing will also be broadcast via Vermont Interactive Television (VIT) to the following sites: (1) Mt. Anthony Lodge, 504A Main Street, Basement, Bennington, VT; (2) BDCC Business Park, Unit 100, 22 Browne Court, Brattleboro, VT; (3) North Country Union High School, 209 Veterans Avenue, Newport, VT and; (4) Bellows Free Academy-St. Albans, 4 Hospital Drive, St. Albans, VT. Additional information about VIT is available at www.vitlink.org .
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: September 19, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Richard A. Valentinetti, Director, Air Pollution Control Division, Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources, 103 South Main Street, 3 South, Waterbury, VT 05671-3840 (802) 241-3840
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Air Pollution Control Regulations - Siting and Stack Height Standards for Outdoor Wood-fired Boilers; Control of Particulate Matter from New Outdoor Wood-fired Boilers
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P041
AGENCY: Vt. Agency of Natural Resources
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule establishes a particulate matter (i.e., fly ash and soot) emission limit of 0.20 grains per dry standard cubic foot of exhaust gas corrected to 12% CO2 for newly manufactured outdoor wood-fired boilers sold in Vermont or for installation in Vermont. With limited exceptions, a manufacturer would be required to demonstrate by means of stack emission testing that its outdoor wood-fired boilers comply with the emission limit before it or one of its retailers is allowed to sell the boilers. The rule also requires each manufacturer to inform its dealers in and around Vermont as to which of its boiler models is allowed to be sold in Vermont. The rule makes several revisions to the existing rule concerning outdoor wood-fired boilers, including amending the definition of "outdoor wood-fired boiler" (a.k.a., "outdoor waterstove"). The existing rule would remain in effect for boilers installed after 1997 that are not subject to the new rule.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Persons impacted by smoke and odors from outdoor wood-fired boilers; manufacturers, retailers, distributors, purchasers and owners of outdoor wood-fired boilers; the Vermont Department of Health; local health officers; municipalities; the Vermont League of Cities and Towns; and the Enforcement and Air Pollutions Control Divisions of the Agency of Natural Resources.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The neighbors of owners of outdoor wood-fired boilers (OWBs) purchased after the effective date of this rule will significantly benefit from the lower emissions from OWBs that comply with the new rule. The lower emission rates shold reduce nuisance smoke and odor impacts from the units, as well as, the levels of fine particulate matter and potentially toxic contaminants emitted. There is one known Vermont manufacturer of OWBs. After adoption of this rule, this manufacturer could continue to sell OWBs for installation outside Vermont, but would not be allowed to sell his units for installation in Vermont until he demonstrates that his units comply with the emission limit in the rule. Vermont OWB dealers, usually part-time, may lose an unknown amount of income because they could no longer sell non-compliant OWBs. They could still sell other types of wood heaters, such as indoor wood stoves or furnaces, or sell compliant OWBs when they become available.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: September 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pavilion Building Auditorium, 109 State Street, Montpelier
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: October 4, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Richard A. Valentinetti, Director, Air Pollution Control Division, Agency of Natural Resources, 103 South Main Street, 3 South, Waterbury, VT 05671-0402 (802) 241-3840
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Natural Resources Board: Act 250 Rules.
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P038
AGENCY: Natural Resources Board: Land Use Panel
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Michael Zahner, Executive Director, VT Natural Resources Board, National Life Records Center Building Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620 802-828-3300 e-mail: Michael.Zahner@state.vt.us
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Natural Resources Board Rules of Procedure
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P039
AGENCY: Natural Resources Board: Land Use Panel
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Michael Zahner, Executive Director, VT Natural Resources Board, National Life Records Center Building, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620 802-828-3300 e-mail: Michael.Zahner@state.vt.us
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- If you have general questions about the rulemaking process, please contact
- Louise Corliss by e-mail at or by phone 802-828-2863
