For Immediate Release / May 23, 2024
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General today issued a memorandum identifying that EPA lacks robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that its Wood Heater Program facilitates compliance with the Clean Air Act. The findings raise concerns regarding impartiality, conflicts of interest, and enforcement of program violations, especially in cases where the EPA failed to adequately address known noncompliance.
During an investigation of the Wood Heater Program, we found that the EPA was not detecting discrepancies in the certificate-of-compliance process and, where the EPA knew of noncompliance, certificates were not revoked, and cease-and-desist orders were not pursued. This lack of monitoring and enforcement impacts the program’s credibility and allows for the continued sale of wood heaters that do not meet performance standards, increasing risks to public health and the environment. This gap in oversight also undercuts the government’s ability to enforce consumer protection law requirements.
The EPA OIG released a report on February 28, 2023, raising concerns that the Wood Heater Program did not provide assurance that heaters are properly tested and certified before reaching consumers. While the EPA is working on corrective actions for most recommendations, the recommendation to observe certification testing remains open. This memorandum includes measures for improvement that could bolster the efficacy of the Wood Heater Program.
“We continue to encourage the EPA to uphold the integrity of the Wood Heater Program with stronger measures to monitor and enforce compliance,” said EPA Inspector General Sean W. O’Donnell. “Failing to do so could result in families buying noncompliant wood heaters that may jeopardize their health.”
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About the EPA OIG
The OIG is an independent office within the EPA that performs audits, evaluations, and investigations of the EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. For more information, visit our website and follow the OIG on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Anyone with knowledge of potential waste, fraud, and abuse relating to EPA operations and programs is encouraged to report it to the OIG Hotline at (888) 546-8740 or OIG.Hotline@epa.gov.