Skip to main content
HR 5391 116th Congress House Environmental Protection Air quality Congressional oversight Energy assistance for the poor and aged Energy efficiency and conservation Environmental health Government information and archives Indian social and development programs Lighting, heating, cooling Residential rehabilitation and home repair Solid waste and recycling

WHERA Act

Introduced: December 11, 2019 Introduced by: Welch, Peter Democratic · Vermont See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 12, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Dec 11, 2019
Introduced in House
Dec 11, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Wood Heaters Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 or the WHERA Act

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement programs and authorize policy to reduce emissions from wood heaters.

Specifically, the bill requires the EPA to establish a grant program to provide funding for programs designed to (1) incentivize homeowners to replace old wood heaters with more efficient, cleaner-burning heaters; (2) achieve significant reductions in emissions from wood heaters; (3) help homeowners transition to safer and more efficient heating sources; and (4) support retailers, installers, and manufacturers that sell and make more efficient certified clean heaters.

The EPA must also establish a program to (1) inform stakeholders of the benefits of replacing wood heaters that do not meet specified emission reductions standards, (2) develop nonfinancial incentives to promote the proper installation and use of certified clean heaters, and (3) consult with Indian tribes to implement programs and actions to reduce wood heater emissions.

Finally, the bill authorizes the EPA to accept wood heater emissions reductions Supplemental Environmental Projects.

What's happening now December 12, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2