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oxygen and could have become ill as a result of the wood boilers. He had concerns about the <br />coming winter and the risks to his health that would again arise. He commented that he has <br />provided pictures of smoke enveloping his neighborhood from the boilers. He stated that the intake <br />on his furnace sucks the smoke into his home, and he has five air cleaners active in his home. He <br />commented on the potentially diseased wood and pallets that are burned in the wood boilers. He <br />asked for information on what he could legally do to remedy this situation, as his health is being <br />injured. He recognized that it is legal to have a wood boiler, but it is being used in the wrong way. <br /> <br />Chairperson Fetterley appreciated the input from the resident, noting that the Board cannot give <br />him legal advice. <br /> <br />Chairperson Fetterley referenced the situation in which a City bans wood boilers and asked if that <br />ban would apply to the wood boilers that people already have. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peters stated that the City Council will need to discuss what is best for the <br />community. He recognized that what is best for the community is to have the best air quality. He <br />commented on how different things have evolved over time, from open sewers to septic service <br />and City sewer. He stated that he would feel the same about inefficient methods of heating homes. <br />He stated that if services were available in the street to heat homes, through electric and gas, he <br />would support that. He stated that perhaps those services are available, and the residents are <br />choosing this as an alternative. He commented that he would like to hear from a resident who has <br />one of these systems to find out why they use it. He noted his goal to also protect the City from <br />noticeable, and he would not want to live in that area. He commented that the City Council will <br />continue to discuss this matter. He asked why the State does not ban this type of equipment. <br /> <br />Ms. Kuhl-Stennes replied that she did not believe there was an appetite to ban these throughout <br />the whole state, but perhaps within the metro area. She commented that some states have banned <br />this type of equipment, but noted that those tend to be states where there are air quality issues <br />already. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peters asked if any counties have banned the equipment in Minnesota. <br /> <br />Ms. Kuhl-Stennes thought that might be the case, but would have to follow up on that. She stated <br />that generally, it is just cities and townships that have banned the equipment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peters commented that it would be interesting to see if the Metropolitan Council <br />would be interested in taking up this issue. <br /> <br />Chairperson Fetterley asked if the Board is interested in making any recommendations. She stated <br />that based on the information presented tonight, there is a lot more pollution coming from these <br />devices than she believed, and perhaps the City should consider whether it wants to continue to <br />allow wood boilers, and/or if the regulations should be stronger. <br /> <br />Board Member Hagerty noted some of the recommendations from the MPCA related to larger lot <br />size requirements, larger setbacks, and other policy changes that he would support. <br /> <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board / August 18, 2025 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br /> <br />