The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages public involvement in its planning and policy-setting actions.

Toward that end, a public hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2010, in Olympia regarding changes to ORCAA’s air quality regulations. The  hearing will take place at the regularly scheduled meeting of the ORCAA Board of Directors, commencing at 10:00 a.m. at Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), 2940-B Limited Lane NW, in Olympia.

ORCAA serves as the administrator of state and federal clean air laws within the six counties of its jurisdiction, but also maintains a set of local regulations to best serve the health needs of the region’s residents. The April 14 hearing addresses proposed changes to those local regulations.

The proposed changes are available in PDF on the ORCAA website, here.

Anyone desiring to make comments shall submit a written statement to the agency within thirty (30) days of this notice or appear at the public hearing.  The Agency operates under the provisions of ORCAA’s Regulations, laws and codes of record of the State of Washington and the United States Government.  Information regarding the above hearing is available for review at the office of ORCAA.  Notice is given by ORCAA’s Executive Director, Francea McNair.  Phone: (360) 539-7610 or (800) 422-5623, extension 100.

To do your own parcel search visit www.geodata.org

As a reminder; No burning is allowed in Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater city limits.  Only recreational campfires are allowed in Thurston County UGA’s (Urban Growth Area’s).  If your property is in the unincorporated areas of Thurston County, Residential burning is allowed with a permit.  Residential burn permits can be filled out and submitted on our website.  Permit must be posted on site when burning.

As a reminder; No burning is allowed in Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater city limits.  Only recreational campfires are allowed in Thurston County UGA’s (Urban Growth Area’s).  If your property is in the unincorporated areas of Thurston County, Residential burning is allowed with a permit.  Please visit your local fire district to receive the free permit and be sure to obey all the conditions listed.  Permit must be posted on site when burning.

Still, stagnant air held down by a high pressure system  means any smoke we put into the air around us, stays in the air around us. The result is rapidly rising levels of air pollution.

Our region experienced unusually high levels of air pollution in recent days as a result of outdoor burning and home-heating with woodstoves and fireplaces. In the interest of public health and safety, all residents are asked to VOLUNTARILY refrain from burning unless absolutely necessary.

ORCAA asks that residents who have alternative forms of home heating refrain from use of their woodstoves and fireplaces at least until air quality improves throughout the region. We also ask that homeowners use alternative means of disposal to clean up their yards. Chipping and composting are the best option, though other alternatives to burning are also available. You can find more details on the options at www.orcaa.org or by calling your local waste disposal company.

Residents who must rely on fireplaces or woodstoves for home heating should burn as cleanly and as efficiently as possible. By using dry wood and burning small, hot fires, residents get more heat with less smoke.

To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

Prior to the Feb, 10, 2010, meeting,  representatives from the State Auditor’s office will meet with members of the board to present the details of the recent audit of ORCAA. This meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed immediately by the regular board meeting.

Then, following the close of the February Board of the Director’s meeting, ORCAA staff will conduct a “new Board Member orientation and information sharing session.” This will be open to all board members as well.

The FREE  clinics are all scheduled for  Saturday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. In ORCAA’s jurisdiction, you can attend in Olympia, Port Angeles or Port Townsend. The specific locations are:

Olympia Fireplace & Spa,
506 E 4th Ave,
Olympia
(360) 352-4328

Strait Flooring
1915 E Sims Way,
Port Townsend
(360) 452-3366

Everwarm Hearth & Home
257151 Hwy 101,
Port Angeles
(360) 452-3366

Additionally, if you want to lower your heating bill while helping keep our air clean and healthful, you could consider upgrading your heating equipment and/or improving your home energy efficiency. Best of all, there are many  tax incentives, rebates and other financial incentives to help you get the work done.

Offers, rebates and assistance from the U.S. government, your local utilities and social service agencies

$1,500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency

If you purchase a qualifying energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home (principal residence) in 2009 and 2010, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of consumer’s cost, up to $1,500.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP provides money to help low income households make home heating more affordable, avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm, safe, and healthy environment for households with young children, the elderly, and the disabled. LIHEAP offers both energy assistance as well as weatherization services.  Click here to find the program for your city or county.

USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grants

Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation grants are available to dwelling owner/occupant. Provides financing to qualified very low income homeowners to repair or make improvements to their homes, such as health and safety hazards, home weatherization, utility hookups, repairs to manufactured home .  Click here for details and how to apply in Washington state.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE)

PSE provides natural gas and/or electric service to parts of Jefferson and Thurston Counties. For their customers, PSE provides a number of rebates and efficiency upgrade incentives. See all offers for Heating & Energy Efficiency Rebates

To ensure clean, healthful air for all, ORCAA encourages residents to be responsible and to burn only when absolutely necessary even when mandatory restrictions are lifted. Air stagnation is possible throughout the winter and early spring. Voluntary reductions on indoor and outdoor burning in the region can help prevent elevated air pollution levels and therefore reduce the need for stringent burn restrictions.

People who would like to do their part to ensure clean, healthful air might consider the following simple acts to help protect the air we breathe:

• When possible, do not use any woodstove or fireplace.

• If you do have a fire in a certified stove or fireplace, consider using manufactured logs if you must burn. They are made from recycled wood products and burn cleaner than cut wood.

• Always use your woodstove or fireplace properly to ensure the cleanest burning possible. Remember that excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques and to find a current list of certified woodstoves and fireplaces, visit www.orcaa.org and click on the Programs tab in the top menu and scroll down to Woodstoves.

• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round.

• Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right. To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.