EPA Watchdog Slams ‘Ineffective’ Wood Heater Plan in New Report (1)

An EPA residential wood heater program leaves homes vulnerable to dangerous particulate matter pollution, according to an independent agency watchdog report released on Tuesday.

The “ineffective” program—which is supposed to ensure that wood heaters are inspected for safety before reaching consumers—uses flawed testing methods that “put the validity of the certification results” into question, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General said.

“The EPA has approved the use of certification test methods that lack clarity and allow too much flexibility in how emissions testing is conducted,” according to the report.

Burning wood all day in residential stoves can ...