This bill was substitued to 2nd sub in House Business and Labor. Thankfully, the repeal of the Ultra Low NOx water heater rule was removed from this sub.
In the original bill, we strongly oppose a provision of this bill that repeals the Ultra Low NOx Water Heater rule, lines 1796-1802. This is perhaps the most important area source rule that has a long history beginning with the Air Quality Board passing this rule, which the legislature then overturned. After a lengthy process which unfortunately resulted in a major delay in implementation, in 2016 a bill was passed, HB 250, that adopted the rule in its entirety into the State Construction Code, which was a great win for air quality. This important rule realizes a very inexpensive ~300 ton per year reduction of Nitrogen Oxide emissions, a precursor pollutant, that leads to the formation of both wintertime PM2.5 and summertime ozone pollution. Repealing this rule would be nearly impossible and prohibitively costly to regulated industry to recover the reductions elsewhere.
How does the "Ultra Low NOx" water heater rule help Utah's air? You might not realize that our homes and buildings contribute to local air pollution. Household appliances, like gas-fired water heaters are a significant source of air pollution. These water heaters are essentially tiny fireplaces that burn constantly to keep the water we use in our homes hot on demand. The good news is technology for our appliances improve over time. For many years now water heater manufacturers are using clean and efficient technology to reduce the amount of Nitrogen Oxide pollution that comes from burning natural gas in these appliances. These Ultra Low NOx water heaters utilize a burner technology that uses a two-step combustion process where the fuel and air is first premixed and then burned on a lower flame. This technology, as the name implies, drastically reduces NOx emissions by 75% compared to a "low NOx" model. Its essentially the same water heater, it heats the water just the same, it just utilizes a bigger burner that burns slightly lower which lowers the oxidation that occurs from conbustion.
Sponsors
- Rep. Peterson, Thomas
Position
SUPPORT 2nd Sub
Status
2/9 House Rules
2/16 To House Business and Labor
2/22 House Business and Labor. Substituted to 2nd sub. Favorable Recommendation. 13-0-3
2/26 House 3rd Reading. Passed 72-0-3
2/26 Senate Rev and Tax
Scheduled Hearings
2/27 4:10 pm Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
2/22
Floor Debates