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July 2010 Vol. 13, No. 7

DOE Final Rule Update

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule on April 16 that will cause serious hardship for the entire gas hearth product industry.  The final rule sets efficiency minimums on gas products that must be in place in new products sold as of April 2013.  The team of HPBA staff, legal counsel and HPBA members are working together to reverse the negative impact of this regulation.  We are pursuing two available options:  1) negotiating with DOE and 2) suing DOE.  A technical task group is meeting to discuss the many technical interpretations and possibilities involved in our negotiations with DOE. The legal team filed a challenge to the rule in May.

On June 17th, the HPBA Board of Directors voted unanimously that the cost of DOE Challenge would be split 50-50 between HPBA and the gas appliance and component manufacturers, similar to the structure of the current NSPS Initiative.

A meeting was held June 29-30 in Chicago for HPBA-member gas appliance manufacturers.  This critical meeting updated manufacturers on the lawsuit, as well as provided research and information gathered by the staff and legal counsel, and most importantly, agreement was reached on the several positions HPBA will be taking in negotiating with DOE.

HPBA also learned that the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental group, has filed what is in effect a legal challenge to our legal challenge.  They do not want any changes to the final rule and are opposed to our efforts to clarify the language and allow for the use of decorative gas appliances.

HPBA continues to have critical discussions with DOE and NRDC. 

NSPS Briefing on July 13

All HPBA member manufacturers who are contributing to the NSPS assessment are invited to join a teleconference on Tuesday, July 13th, for a complete update on the NSPS Initiative.  HPBA is working on the economic impact analysis portion of the NSPS review, both with large and small manufacturers through the federally mandated SBREFA (Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act).  The SBREFA process began with an EPA-sponsored teleconference on June 29th, and will culminate with a major briefing in late August or early September.  All solid fuel manufacturer members and participating affiliates will receive a general update prior to the July 13th conference call.  For more information on the NSPS process, contact John Crouch, crouch@hpba.org. 

Lead RRP Rule Enforcement Delayed

EPA has delayed enforcement of the Lead Renovation, Repair & Painting program until October 1, 2010.  Since the April 22, 2010 effective date, concerns have been heard regarding difficulties in obtaining the necessary training and certification.  This delay gives dealers until September 30th to 1) apply as a certified firm and 2) have a certified lead renovator on the premises when doing work in homes built prior to 1978.  Training must be complete by December 31, 2010.

The delay is only for the federal EPA program.  If your state has its own lead renovation program that supersedes the EPA's, you must continue to abide by that policy.  For questions and more information, please contact Rick Vlahos, vlahos@hpba.org.

New Small Business Lending Fund

Awaiting Senate action is legislation that would establish a $30 billion fund to boost lending to small businesses.  Under the proposal, the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) would support lending among community and smaller banks with assets under $10 billion.  The bill would allow eligible institutions with assets of $1 billion or less to apply for a capital investment from the Fund of up to 5 percent of risk-weighted assets.  The new program would provide an incentive for smaller banks to increase small business lending - as their lending increases, the dividend rate or interest rate payable to Treasury gets reduced, to as low as 1 percent for banks that increase lending by 10 percent from a baseline set in 2009.

The bill that passed the House responds to concerns that Treasury officials might lend based on political considerations and biases.  It would require the department to certify under oath before it makes the first purchase that the decision-making process behind the investments is based solely on economic fundamentals and merits.  The Treasury would have to make the certification to its inspector general.  This legislation still needs to pass the Senate and be signed into law before this fund can be used.

Home Star/Cash-for-Caulkers

On May 6, the House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019), that authorizes the creation of a national energy retrofit program for all American homeowners.  This bill authorizes $1,000 point-of-sale rebates for biomass stoves and boilers that constitute a home's primary heat source (with efficiencies of 75% for stoves and 80% for boilers).  A smaller $500 rebate will be given for stoves that zone heat.  For both rebates, however, homeowners are required to replace old stoves with newer models.  And, unfortunately, one of the thresholds that needs to be met to qualify for the rebates is that a stove's emission must be less than 3 grams per hour. This was inserted at the last minute and HPBA is working to change this to the Washington State standard of 4.5 grams an hour.

The bill is still pending in the Senate. We anticipate that energy legislation, which will probably include the Home Star legislation, will likely be debated in July, but that has not been confirmed.  The legislation has a long road to go and is not guaranteed to pass this year.  HPBA will keep you updated as this bill progresses through the legislative process.

IgCC Comment Review

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) Public Comment Review will take place in Rosemont, IL, August 14-27.  The IgCC generally applies to new and renovated commercial buildings, but with the addition of one sentence, "ANSI/ICC 700 will be added to the standard," (ANSI/ICC 700 is NAHB's Green Building Standard), the IgCC will now apply to commercial and residential properties.  Contact Tom Stroud, stroud@hpba.org, if you plan to attend this meeting or have any comments.

Standing Pilot Light Code Update

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Final Action comment period ended July 1.  Reminder:  this proposal bans standing pilots in gas hearth appliances.  HPBA submitted comments based on discussions in the HPBA Technical Committee.  HPBA strongly urges interested companies to attend the meeting in Charlotte, NC, October 28 - November 1.  For more information, go to ICC's website, www.iccsafe.org.  Contact Tom Stroud, stroud@hpba.org, if you are interested in being involved or wish to comment to HPBA on this issue.

Arizona Kicks Off Clean Heat Exchange

The Arizona Changeout kicked off on June 12 with events in St. John's and at the Forest Energy pellet plant in Show Low.  The changeout has $750,000 available to encourage homeowners to replace old wood stoves with any cleaner burning heating appliance, including propane, natural gas, pellets, or EPA-certified wood stoves.  Low income families are eligible for full replacements and, to date, over 35 have signed up.  Others can receive vouchers of $1,000 for wood stoves and $1,500 for pellet or propane gas stoves.  Only NFI-certified installers can install qualified products.  For more information, contact Larry Grogan, Arizona HPBA, at lgrog1948@live.com.

HPBA Job Bank Developed

HPBA created an online job posting site, http://www.hpba.org/members/hpba-job-bank, to help connect employers in the hearth, patio and barbecue industries with potential employees. If you're looking for help or looking for a new opportunity in your field, we hope this job bank is a helpful resource. For inquiries about the specifics of the positions or whether the job is still available, please contact the employer directly.

HPBA Committee Activities

Communications

Be sure to have a supply of the Burn Wise DVDs on hand for your new wood stove buyers.  It's a great gift for new and old stove owners.  To view the DVD and download the order form, go to www.hpba.org/responsible-wood-burning.  And, to learn about EPA's Burn Wise - Learn Before You Burn program and available posters, go to www.epa.gov/burnwise.  For questions, contact Leslie Wheeler, wheeler@hpba.org.

HPB Education Foundation

The two "must haves" in any business are 1) customers and 2) employees to service the customer.  While you can't choose your customers, you can choose your employees and this can be a long and arduous process.  HPBEF helps you simplify this process by providing a special online session: Hiring and Retaining Exceptional Employees.  This 90-minute session to be held Thursday, July 22nd at 2:00pm EDT, is worth 1.5 Elective CEUs and will be taught by Kristi Long.  It focuses on hiring and retaining employees, starting with the key elements of a job description, interviewing, search methods, orientation and training.   

In addition, the Hiring and Retaining Exceptional Employees handbook was revised and includes new industry survey results, best-practice tips and a CD-ROM of forms and fact sheets. Priced at $109, the handbook will be available at a special price of $59 for a limited time when you sign up for the online class.*

For He@rth Online subscribers, register for Hiring and Retaining Exceptional Employees through your account.  For non-subscribers, register online at http://nficertified.org/hpbef/courseSchedule.cfm.  There is a $19.95 charge.  

*Note: The special incentive is available only until July 15, and you must attend the July 22nd Hiring and Retaining Exceptional Employees seminar in order to receive the discount rate.  For more details, email info@nficertified.org.
 
Industry Statistics

HPBA's Statistics Department has distributed 1) the 2nd Quarter Industry Survey, 2) the Manufacturers' Rep Survey and 3) the first phase of the 2010 Barbecue Grill and Charcoal Shipment data collection.  All members are requested to respond promptly.  For questions, please contact Don Johnson, johnson@hpba.org.

Membership

North Central HPBA sponsored a Dunk Tank to raise money for a charity at their "Festival of Fun" during their May annual meeting.  Three NCHPBA members volunteered for "dunking duty," and the "dunkee" who raised the most money named the charity of his/her choice.  Winner Rodger Holland raised $225 and donatted it to the American Cancer Society.  Good work NCHPBA, and we ask all of you to make "Community Enrichment" a part of your businesses.

HPBExpo Report

Innovations & Ideas for Indoor-Outdoor Living

Salt Lake City, UT · March 2 - 5, 2011

www.hpbexpo.com

Reserve your HPBExpo 2011 exhibit space now.  The Expo 2011 Exhibitor Portfolio, including floor plans, booth contracts, rules and regulations, and payment information (50% is due with contract), can be found at www.hpbexpo.com under "Apply to Exhibit." Have questions? Contact Exhibits Manager Amy Jackson at (703) 522-0086 ext. 125 or amyjackson@hpba.org. Remember, online registration and housing for the Salt Lake City trade show open September 1st, on www.hpbexpo.com.

Expo Committee Meeting.  The HPBA Expo Committee met last month in New Orleans. After touring the convention center and proposed outdoor burn area, the committee recommended and the HPBA Board approved a motion to hold Expo 2016 in New Orleans. The last Expo held in The Big Easy was in 1990.

The HPBExpo 2011 website is live!  Be sure to bookmark the Expo's website, www.hpbexpo.com, for information on HPBExpo 2011, March 2 - 5, in Salt Lake City. Additional show information will be posted soon, with registration and housing opening on September 1. While there, don't miss the HPBExpo 2010 Photo Gallery.

HPBExpo on Twitter & Facebook.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @HPBExpo http://twitter.com/HPBExpo and become a fan of HPBExpo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/HPBExpo/182719555415.

 

HPBExpo Future Dates

HPBExpo 2012: February 29 - March 3, 2012 - Atlanta

HPBExpo 2013: March 20 - 23, 2013 - Nashville

HPBExpo 2014: March 5 - 8, 2014 - Salt Lake City

HPBExpo 2015: March 11 - 14, 2015 - Nashville

HPBExpo 2016: March 16 - 19, 2016 - New Orleans

 

Upcoming Affiliate Meetings

PACIFIC

Monday, July 19 to Tuesday, July 20

Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, CA

ARIZONA

Saturday, July 31 to Sunday, August 1

Amare Resort and Spa, Sedona, AZ

MIDWEST

Sunday, August 1 to Monday, August 2

Westport Sheraton, St. Louis, MO

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