IrBEA welcomes EPA air quality report focus on solid fuels regulations

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) members have welcomed the recognition in today’s annual EPA Air Quality in Ireland 2023 report, for the need to “target air enforcement activities, including to ensure compliance with the solid fuel regulations.”
Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO said: “Since the inception of the WFQA scheme in 2009, wood fuel supplier members have been required to have domestic wood fuel moisture content under 25%.
"In 2022, the 25% requirement has become law under the solid fuel regulations. Since the introduction of the regulations, new members have been engaging with the WFQA to fulfil the 25% moisture content legal requirement.
"This has resulted in a surge in the number of certified wood fuel suppliers, with member coverage now nationwide, supplying a range of wood fuel products.”
Finan continued: “IrBEA has strongly advocated, both pre and post the introduction of the solid fuel regulations, for the need for enhanced enforcement activities by local authorities. Over the last year, significant gaps in enforcement of the regulations have been identified. Large quantities of wet, unlabelled, uncertified and non-compliant wood fuel are still evident on the market across the country.”
Independent research confirms that there is a significant reduction in particulate emissions from the use of dry wood fuels compared to wet wood fuels. The EPA statement today specifically mentions the need for only compliant solid fuel, such as low smoke coal and dried wood, be sold to householders.
Finan concluded: “We support the EPA call for compliant dry wood fuel only, at under 25% moisture content, be sold to householders. Enforcement of the regulations by the local authorities is at the essence of this. Sustainably sourced, dry, certified wood fuels offer homeowners one of the most affordable and prompt means to transition from fossil fuel to renewable fuel without the need for significant investment costs or home modifications and in doing so, helping the environment from an emissions and air quality perspective.”