S. 2274 116th Congress Senate

WHERA Act

Official title: A bill to establish a voluntary program that strengthens the economy, public health, and environment of the United States by reducing emissions from wood heaters, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 13, 2020 See on congress.gov

Environmental Protection Air qualityCongressional oversightEnergy assistance for the poor and agedEnergy efficiency and conservation

More subjectsShow fewer subjects

Environmental healthGovernment information and archivesIndian social and development programsLighting, heating, coolingResidential rehabilitation and home repairSolid waste and recycling

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jul 25, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Jul 25, 2019

Introduced in Senate

Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

Latest action July 25, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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.

Related & companion bills 1