1200 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. 

Washington, DC 20460 

Dear Administrator McCarthy: 

I am writing to express my concerns with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for residential 

wood burning heating systems proposed by the EPA on January 3, 2014. The new regulations will have 

severe impacts on many of my constituents, particularly those residing in rural areas and who use wood 

burning heaters to heat their homes. The increased costs stemming from these regulations will make wood 

burning heaters unaffordable to many consumers and will drive small manufacturers out of business. I 

urge the agency to reconsider the NSPS regulatory amendments to take into account the disproportionate 

impact on rural Americans and small businesses. 

As you may know, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 2.4 million households, 12 percent of all 

homes, burn wood as their primary heating fuel. In my district and in many other areas throughout the 

country, wood burning heaters have been a mainstay of households for hundreds of years. Many of these 

consumers have limited access to other heating fuels and turn to wood as a readily available, affordable, 

and renewable source of fuel. 

It is estimated that the new regulations would prohibit the production and sale of 80 percent of America's 

current wood burning heating systems. Although the regulation does not apply to currently installed 

heaters, it will significantly increase the purchase price of new heaters, deterring upgrades and 

replacements, which are more environmentally-friendly, and discouraging adoption of wood burning 

heaters in new homes. Limiting consumer choice by drastically increasing costs will have a disparate 

effect on rural and low-income households that rely on this economically-feasible heating solution. 

Additionally, many manufacturers of wood burning heaters are small, local businesses. The hastened 

implementation schedule, coupled with the prohibition of sales of existing inventory after 

implementation, will force many manufacturers out ofbusiness. At a time of record unemployment, small 

businesses provide an engine of economic growth and job creation. When promulgating these and other 

regulations, I urge the agency to work with small businesses and job creators rather than working against 

them. 

While the goal of improving air quality is laudable, the substantial costs of these regulations threaten to 

outweigh any potential benefits. I urge the agency to reevaluate the timing, methodology, and overall 

restrictions of the regulations by taking into account the disproportionate impact they will have on rural 

and low-income consumers and small businesses. The agency should consider altering the one-size-fits2440 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515 

(202) 225-2956 

FAX: (202) 225-5712 

113 EAST PEARCE BOULEVARD 

WENTZVILLE, MO 63385 

PHONE: (636) 327-7055 

FAX: (636) 327-3254 

http://luetkemeyer.house.gov 

516 JEFFERSON STREET 

WASHINGTON, MO 63090 

PHONE: (636) 239- 2276 

FAX: (636) 239--1)478 

2117 MISSOURI BOULEVARD 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109 

PHONE. (573) 635-7232 

FAX. (573) 635-8347 
Sincerely, 

Member of Congress