RMHPBA Newsletter Aug 2015.pdf

Member newsletter
August 2015
In this issue
Member Spotlght
Page 1
2016 HPBExpo
Page 2
NFI Congrats
Page 3
Spotted!
Pages 4 & 5
EPA Enforcement
Help
Pages 6 & 7
CO Stove Change Out
Page 8
Member Reception
Page 9
Government Affairs
Update
Pages 10 & 11
Introducing Fulton Alley, the 2016 Member Reception location! Learn
more on page 9.
Photo courtesy of www.fultonalley.com

Member Spotlight
Keith Simpson
RW Specialties, Inc.
Keith Simpson was born in Wiesbaden
Germany during the long military career of
his father. During his childhood, he lived in
in many states and spent many of his childhood
years in Europe. In 1975, he began his
lumber career with Furrow Building materials
(a division of Payless Cashways) in El Paso
Texas working outside in the lumber yard
where he eventually became a department
manager in the fireplace division selling Preway
fireplaces. Upon graduation from high
school in 1977, he received a presidential
nomination from Jimmy Carter to the Navel
Academy.
With sawdust in his veins, he declined
the offer and was promoted to a lumber estimator
in Santa Fe New Mexico with Payless
Cashways. In 1978 he moved to Denver to
accept a supervisor position with Payless
Cashways. When Payless purchased Hugh M
Woods, he served on the team that merged
the two company’s philosophies and business
practices. In 1986 he left Payless Cashways to
go back to college and complete his bachelor’s
degree at Metro State University while working
at Hartmuller Lumber as a merchandiser and
assistant buyer.
In 1987 he went to work for RW Specialties
Inc. as an outside salesman. He was
promoted to sales manager in 1993 and general
manager in 2014 and has been with RW for
almost 29 years.
RW has been in the hearth business for
more than 43 years and have been a member
of RMHPBA for more than 20 years. Keith
enjoys being a member of this association
because of the networking opportunities and
to strengthen the friendships that he has made
over the past many years. The RMHPBA
allows us to stay up to date with changes and
new products in our industry. We attend the
HPBA show every year to see all of the exciting
new products. This year is RW Specialties 50
year anniversary!
He has been married to his wife Diana
for more than 30 years and lives in Parker Colorado.
They both enjoy hobbies of physical
fitness, biking, traveling, and cooking. He has
one 34 year old son, Shane, three brothers and
one sister.
Warm welcome to
our new
member!
Goodrich Chimney Services
Golden, CO
1

2016 HPBExpo
Hottest indoor-outdoor show of the year
Exhibition: March 17-19, 2016
Education: March 16-19, 2016
The Big Easy, Here We Come for HPBExpo
2016!
Get ready for HPBExpo in New Orleans taking
place March 16-19, 2016, at the Ernest N.
Morial Convention Center. Hear what HPBA
Chairman Jess Baldwin and other members are
saying about the show and why you need to be
there next year in this quick video filmed at the
2015 Expo!
Most of the city’s restaurants, attractions,
tours, accommodations and event venues are
within walking distance of each other, it’s easy
to get around the “Big Easy” and is the perfect
setting for networking. Within the 12-blocks
of the historic French Quarter, come enjoy the
charm of New Orleans, all while attending a
successful meeting in the Crescent City.
New Orleans combines big city choices
with small town friendliness. Need more ideas?
We’ve got the information you need on getting
around and what to do while in New Orleans.
Don’t forget to bookmark the HPBExpo’s
website as show information for next year will
continually post throughout the year.
September 1 - HPBExpo 2016
Registration, Education & Housing
Opens
Register online for show badges, education,
hotel reservations, flights and car rentals
starting on September 1st.
Be advised that onPeak is the official
HPBA housing partner - don’t be fooled by
other travel companies claiming to be affiliated
with HPBA. Through onPeak, HPBA is able
to secure the lowest rates, best hotels and the
most complimentary amenities during your stay
in New Orleans, exclusive only to HPBExpo
guests.
It it should be a great show with lots of exhibitors
based on the current numbers. Click here
for the full list of current exhibitors.
Updated floor plans and exhibit space contracts
are now posted online.
Thank you to our 2015
sponsors!
Associated Energy Systems
Olympia Chimney Supply, Inc.
Majestic Hearth
M&G DuraVent
RH Peterson CO.
RW Specialties, Inc.
Valor
2

Congrats to RMHPBA members who passed
their NFI exams!
The following are the examinees that passed the NFI exam from the RMHPBA event held
in July. Congratulations to all of them. Hats off to Mathew Goodrich and Robert Knopp
who passed ALL three exams! Great job to all!
PELLET
DAMBROSKY, MATT
Chimney Doctors
DAVIS, RYAN
The Fireplace Doctor
GOODRICH, MATHEW T
Goodrich Chimney Services
KNOPP, ROBERT J
Jax Mercantile
NIELL, BENJAMIN W
The Fireplace Doctor
WOODBURNING
BALMER, GREGORY
Heat Wave Stove & Spa
BUTTERFIELD, JORDAN L
Mountain Fireplace Specialists
CHAPPLE, JC
Heat Wave Stove & Spa
DAVIS, RYAN
The Fireplace Doctor
FEARS, MICA F
Heat Wave Stove & Spa
GOODRICH, MATHEW T
Goodrich Chimney Services
HALL, BLAIR
The Fireplace - Breckenridge
KNOPP, ROBERT J
Jax Mercantile
GAS
ANSTINE, MATTHEW
Chimney Doctors
BALMER, GREGORY
Heat Wave Stove & Spa
BUTTERFIELD, JORDAN L
Mountain Fireplace Specialists
DAVEY, JOSHUA T
Goodrich Chimney Services
GARCIA, KIM A
The Fireplace - Breckenridge
GONZALEZ, CARLOS H
Service Monkey
GOODRICH, MATHEW T
Goodrich Chimney Services
KNOPP, ROBERT J
Jax Mercantile
MARSTERS, BUCK T
Fireplace Services
MURTAGH, PATRICK
Ute City Fireplaces
(Non-Member)
NELSON, TRENTON J
Chimney Doctors
NIELL, BENJAMIN W
The Fireplace Doctor
PARTIN, NATE
Service Monkey
POST, MICHAEL A
Alpine Stoves
SHORT, MATT D
Lehrer Fireplace
WEBSTER, WILLIAM
The Fireplace -Breckenridge
ZMUGG, STEPHAN
Service Monkey
3

Spotted - RMHPBA members having too much fun!
RMHPBA 2015 Member Reception
in Nashville, TN.
2016 NFI review and exams at
RW Specialties, Inc.
4

2016 Summer event at the
Denver Aquarium
What’s hot?
Just like the hearth, patio and barbecue industry, the RMHPBA is everchanging. This year, the board of directors
and staff are focusing on what more we can provide our members - here are some member benefits
coming your way.
• RMHPBA’s monthly hot news and email updates will now be available to members only
• Member directory on RMHPBA’s website
• Find a dealer and find a retailer locator with interactive map on RMHPBA’s website.
Keep an eye out for an email announcing these new benefits!
5

HPBA Q&A on EPA Enforcement of the New NSPS for
New Residential Wood Heaters
Rafael Sanchez of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
visited a couple stores in the northeastern region of the U.S. earlier in the month looking for
infractions relating to hangtags, permanent labels, and owner’s manuals. In response to some
questions we have received, please find information below for reference in preparation of an
insolicited visit.
The following reflects HPBA’s interpretation of certain provisions of EPA’s final NSPS.
There is considerable ambiguity throughout the rule, and HPBA believe sthe following positions
are legally defensible. Always defer to your manufacturer’s legal counsel if there are
questions about these interpretations.
Step 1 Requirements for Room Heaters (Wood and Pellet Stoves) - May 15, 2015 to May 14,
2020:
1. Hangtags
Are hangtags still required for appliances manufactured after May 15, 2015? No, hangtags
are NOT required to be affixed to appliances. The EPA is allowing a temporary, voluntary,
hangtag for each adjustable burn rate heater, single-burn rate heater, pellet heater/stove, hydronic
heater and forced-air furnace sold at retail that meets the Step 2 emission
limits before the Step 2 compliance date. This temporary label option will end upon the Step 2
compliance date (May 15, 2020).
What about appliances manufactured before May 15, 2015, do they still need hangtags?
No, hangtags are NOT required for appliances manufactured before May 15, 2015. Appliances
that are deemed certified are considered Step 1 compliant under the new NSPS regime, which
does not require hangtags. Appliances that are not deemed certified and that must be sold by
December 31, 2015 do not need hangtags, even though they needed hangtags under the old
NSPS. The old NSPS no longer has legal effect. Under the current law, hangtags are not required;
thus, there is nothing in the current law for EPA to enforce.
Continued on page 7
6

2. Permanent Labels
For appliances manufactured after May 15, 2015, what are the permanent label visibility
requirements? Appliances manufactured on or after May 15, 2015 must have permanent labels
(not hangtags) affixed in a readily visible or accessible location that can be viewed before
and after installation, i.e., not the bottom of a free-standing heater. However, an easily removable
façade may be used for aesthetic purposes. Do permanent labels on appliances manufactured
before May 15, 2015 need to be readily visible even after installation? No, the original
NSPS did not require appliances to have readily visible or accessible labels after installation.
Do “deemed certified” stoves in my store need their labels replaced to reflect the new permanent
label requirements? No, do not remove labels and replace them with something that did
not arrive on the appliance. This would beillegal.
3. Owner’s Manuals:
Do owner’s manuals for appliances manufactured before May 15, 2015 need to be replaced
with updated owner’s manuals from the manufacturer? No, appliances manufactured
before the effective date do not need updated owner’s manuals. These appliances are already
in the value chain and you will be deemed to comply with new rule’s requirements, so long
as you sell the appliance without altering the owner’s manual and warranty that you received
from the manufacturer. Models that are EPA-certified at 4.5 g/hr or less before May 15, 2015
(deemed certified) may continue to be manufactured and sold until Step 2 is effective in 2020,
but which of these deemed certified appliances need updated manuals? Only appliances manufactured
after May 15, 2015 require updated manuals.
If a product wasn’t in your store before May 15, 2015, it should have an updated owner’s
manual from the manufacturer. Do owner’s manuals need to be displayed next to appliances
in stores? EPA’s rule does not specify whether or how owner’s manuals need to be
displayed, only that they need to be provided to each purchaser of an appliance. However, it
may be best to avoid separating the owner’s manual from the stove given the rule’s requirement
that “Each affected wood heater offered for sale by a commercial owner must be accompanied
by an owner’s manual.” Owner manuels must be readily available to a customer if they
want to see it, before buying if requested.
Learn more here.
7

Stove Change Out
in Colorado
There will be a meeting to discuss the
stove change out in Colorado Wednesday, Sept.
16 at RW Specialties Inc., located at 9000 E.
96th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640.
The time has not been decided but most
likely it will be a lunch meeting which will
include John Crouch, director of public affairs
for the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association.
The meeting will include Kim Tyrrell
from the American Lung Association (ALA)
who is running the program, some of the
board members from the RMHPBA, retailers
who are interested in participating in the program,
and RMHPBA’s Executive Director Larry
Grogan.
The final details of exactly where the
change will take place are still to be worked
out, but it probably will include parts of Larimer,
Weld, Denver, Jefferson, Boulder, and Adams
counties.
There is approximately $1 millon set
aside for the program with some of that money
going to the ALA to run the program, some
money for advertising it, and the rest for the
change out with some of it designated for low
income persons. This program should be very
similar to the one Larry worked with in Arizona
a couple of years ago.
If you are interested in participating in
the program, please contact Larry Grogan at
rmhpba@outlook.com. Please plan on attending
the meeting on Sept. 16 to get more information
and to answer any questions you may
have.
Regulation 4
The Colorado Dept. of Public Health
& Environment: The Regulation 4 request for
hearing rulemaking packet is now posted on
the Commission’s website. At the August 20
meeting, they put the proposal on the hearing
docket for the Nov. 19 meeting where they will
probably adopt it. This regulation basically
adopts the new EPA NSPS standards for wood
stoves. They will leave pellet stoves under the
current regulations that are more stringent
then the EPA NSPS rules.
The change out may include replacing
the wood stoves with gas units or pellet units,
and might require that someone who is NFI
certified in the fuel type of the unit (wood, gas,
pellet) installed to install the unit.
If you have any questions, please contact
Larry Grogan at rmhpba@outlook.com.
Join RMHPBA’s
Board of Directors!
Would you like to become a RMHPBA Board
Member? If you are an engaged and committed
individual and enjoys volunteering, then we
encourage you to apply!
Fill out the boad member application
By filling out the application, all members agree
to serve on the board for a minimum of two years,
and a maximum of six years. While serving on
the Board, members will agree to attend all board
meetings either in person or by phone, and that
they will attend the yearly annual event in person,
if at all possible.
8

2016 RMHPBA HPBExpo Member Reception
The more, the merrier!
The RMHPBA is trying something new for the 2016 HPBExpo member reception! We have
decided to combine foreces with affiliates including SCHPBA, AHPBA, OHPBA, NWHP-
BA, and HPBA Pacific! The combined reception will have 18 states represented - talk about a
grand get-together!
Details:
Wednesday, March 17, 2016 6-8 FULTON ALLEY
600 Fulton St., New Orleans
(One half block from host hotel)
Stay tuned for reception registration to open!
HPBExpo show and housing registration opens Sept. 1! Learn more about the HPBExpo here.
Photo courtesy of www.fultonalley.com
Sponsor this event!
Sponsors of this special event will have logos recognition in each affiliate’s newsletters, on
all websites, and have shout-outs on on all printed materials for the event, social media.
Contact Larry Grogan rmhpba@outlook.com or 480-772-2169 with any questions or
interest.
9

HPBA Government Affairs Update
The 25C Tax Credit
As previously reported, the 25C tax credit for
75 percent efficient or higher biomass stoves was included
in legislation which passed the Senate Finance
Committee earlier this week on July 21. This is the first
step of many in extending the 25C tax credit for two
years, retroactive to January 1, 2015 and through December
31, 2016. The legislation, which extends over
50 other tax credits, will now go to the full Senate for
continued discussion and a vote, although timing of
Senate floor action is unclear.
The legislation that was reported out of the
Finance Committee tweaks the existing credit by
specifying higher heating value (“HHV”) as the metric
to measure stove efficiency. But, keep in mind that this
version of legislation may not be what is in the final
bill if and when it makes it to the President’s desk for
signature.
The House timeframe for action on extenders is
on a slower track, with activity expected after the August
Congressional recess. As we have discussed, we
are trying to get the stove credit increased in the House
bill and have it apply to a larger universe of biomass
heating appliances. We will keep you apprised of those
discussions.
If you haven’t done so already, take action
today and contact your Senators and Representative,
asking them to support this important tax credit!
Department of Energy (DOE) Legislation
HPBA continues to work with Congressman
Mike Pompeo’s (R-KS-04) office to introduce language
which would require DOE to consult with an advisory
committee of stakeholders to determine whether a
proposed rule is technically feasible and economically
justified before it can become final. If the proposal fails
those evaluations, it cannot be finalized. The legislation
has not yet been introduced, but if it is successful,
it will become part of a more comprehensive energy
legislation package being put together by the House
Energy and Commerce Committee.
On behalf of industry, Congressman Peter
Welch of Vermont sent a letter to Energy Secretary
Ernest Moniz expressing his concern with DOE’s
proposed hearth products standards and encouraged
DOE to work more collaboratively with industry when
considering regulations. Congressman Welch’s letter
can be viewed here.
Federal Legislation and Policies Pro Small
Business Legislation
The status of the Small Business Regulatory
Flexibility Improvements Act has not changed since
our last report. This legislation, which was introduced
in the House (H.R. 527) by Rep. Chabot (R-OH-01)
and in the Senate (S. 426) by Senator Ayotte (R-NH),
would amend the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act (SBREFA) in many positive ways.
Although the legislation passed in the House, it
still needs to be put to a vote in the Senate and signed
by the President. If you have not done so already, click
here to contact your Senators about this important
legislation.
Energy Legislation
The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s
Subcommittee on Energy & Power has been working
on comprehensive energy efficiency legislation referred
to as the Architecture of Abundance (AoA). The 96-
page bill was released July 21 and includes legislation
with mostly bipartisan support. HPBA is still reviewing
its content and will have analysis for you in our
next issue. HPBA has been working with Congressman
Pompeo’s office to include our draft hearth products
language included in this package. Amendments
like ours will likely be discussed by the full Energy &
Commerce Committee in September after the August
Recess.
Not to be outdone, the Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee released a 357-page first
draft of their energy efficiency legislation, titled the
“Energy Policy Modernization Act,” earlier this week.
HPBA is still reading through this legislation for its
full impact, but it includes several positive provision
related to biomass.
10

HPBA Government Affairs Continued
Federal Forest Reform Legislation
The full House passed federal forest reform
legislation (H.R. 2647) that shows real promise for
delivering needed reform principles. For one, it is a
national bill that will cover the entire federal forest system,
unlike Senate bills in the last Congress that took a
more rifle shot approach at only Western forests.
The bill moves away from some of the hard,
board feet timber production targets that have drawn
opposition in the past and embraces an approach that
expands on existing Forest Service authorities that will
accomplish the same objective. A good example of the
legislation’s build- out of categorical exclusion authority
which was granted to the Forest Service under the
2008 Farm Bill. Under a categorical exclusion, the
Forest Service can approve forest management projects
under an expedited environmental review process.
Click here to continue reading and to take action.
Pro-Biomass Congressional Letters
A Senate letter that highlights the carbon
benefits of biomass and biomass energy has 46 Senate
signatories that demonstrate a bipartisan mix of support
for biomass energy and its carbon benefits. The
letter, lead by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeff
Merkley (D-OR) was sent to EPA Administrator Gina
McCarthy, DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz, and U.S. Department
of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The communication will be useful not only for
our advocacy work with the departments and agencies,
but with the media as well. A steady stream of negative
stories have been trickling out of national media, highlighting
claims that biomass energy has a larger carbon
profile than fossil-based energy. The claims are based
on the flawed premise/calculation that forest-based
bioenergy starts with a carbon debt to the atmosphere,
which disregards the fact that the tree from which the
pellet or other biomass fuel originated has been sequestering
carbon from the atmosphere over its lifetime.
An effort to produce a similar letter supporting
biomass energy has begun in the House.
Federal Regulations
DOE’s Proposed Energy Conservation Standards
for Residential Furnaces
Not to be confused with DOE’s hearth products
rule, the Gas Furnace Rule proposes a national
mandate that all non-weatherized natural gas furnaces
operate at 92 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency
(AFUE) regardless of the physical structure in which
they operate and the economic circumstances of the
customer. The American Gas Association (AGA) submitted
extensive comments to DOE at the close of the
comment period, on July 10, 2015.
EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting
Test Kit Comments
Last month, EPA hosted a meeting for stakeholders
to discuss the reliability and availability of lead
test kits in the field. There certainly are issues of reliability
with currently available test kits, many of which
produce false-positives resulting in compliance with
requirements for renovators working in an environment
with lead paint. HPBA submitted comments to
the EPA on July 6, 2015, which focused on three issues:
(1) the lack of a well-developed lead test kit market; (2)
the need for an updated economic analysis; and (3) to
encourage the EPA to not consider x-ray fluorescent
(XRF) analyzers as an alternative or replacement for
lead test kits.
Advertise with
RMHPBA!
-Submit an article for the
next newsletter
- Advertise a product
- Submit an ad
For more information, contact
rmhpbacommunications@gmail.com
11

Saying goodbye to an industry great
For those of you that haven’t heard Jerry Fisk passed away Aug. 27. I only knew him by reputation and his
was the kind most of us as Reps hope for. I remember once driving through Idaho making sales calls when
I was still very new. The units on the floor were dusty and everyone was busy so I found some paper towels
and cleaner and went to work. When I finished the manager made a comment to me, he said “Looks like
you’ve got a little Jerry Fisk in you.” I didn’t know who Jerry was at the time but I could tell it was a compliment.
As time went on so did the stories I would hear about Jerry Fisk. A man who had passion for everything
in our industry and will be missed by all of those that knew him, and even those that only heard stories
about him.
- RMHPBA President Justin Ross
Read about Jerry Fisk’s legacy here.
Thank you for your membership from your
RMHPBA Board of Directors!