Pellet police: A new arm of the law

To the editor:
    Well, as if you couldn’t have imagined, a new arm of the law will likely be arriving (sooner than you think) in armed ships upon your shores looking for every single dirty air molecule spewed out by your pellet stove (if you have one, of course) or any other alternative-fuel stove or furnace you’ve recently acquired. You see, for decades the oil dealers of Maine have made millions and now their hefty incomes could be viewed as threatened by the coming availability of those very efficient and lots-of- costs-saving devices which can burn about every kind of grain pellet produced in our area. These pellets not only include wood, but corn, barley, oats and the like, all locally grown products.     In the July 24th issue of the Bangor Daily News (front page, mind you), a study conducted by the Maine Oil Dealers Association concluded that “ … pellet stoves generate more particle pollution and air toxins than oil furnaces.” This could be a first step in some kind of phony campaign to convince your Maine state legislators, fire marshals and local city authorities to make restrictive laws and choking codes (witness the stupid outdoor sprinkler system the Braden Theatre was forced to install to perhaps protect the sidewalk from burning in case of fire) in order for the sales of alternative-fuel stoves to be stalled for the sake of the oil dealers.
    Remember, the Maine Oil Dealers have lots more clout in Augusta than you do … that clout comes in the form money and influence, just in case you forgot. One must be very suspicious of those conducting (in this case, the Maine Oil Dealers) studies if it even vaguely appears they may have conflicts of interest, that is, reasons to reach self-serving conclusions. Kinda like the proverbial fox given charge protecting the proverbial chicken coup, wouldn’t you say?
    Let me say this … I firmly believe that in the next several years, rather than an oil truck backing up into your driveway, it’ll be an alternative-fuel truck loaded with area-grown pellets of some sort (wood, corn, barley, etc.) ready to be shot down into your cellar and stored in a hopper or bin. From there, the new fuel (not imported oil) will be quietly delivered to your pellet-burning furnace. Your home will be cozy all winter at a cost which will suit you just fine. And … the money you will have spent on fuel will go to local farmers and not Saudi Arabian emirates, Washington politicians and/or the rich oil dealers of Maine. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, now, it’s so plausible and possible, you wouldn’t believe it.
    Now, since I also believe that the near-future “Pellet Police” will pass new laws (as if we need more) which will begin to expand existing codes regarding the imaginary “pellet pollution” and, therefore, set into motion higher costs, mandatory add-ons, more permits and inspections, I might suggest you begin your research now; convince yourself that it’s wise and very possible to distance yourself from imported oil. I also might suggest that if you make the conversion earlier enough, you can beat the strong arm of the “Pellet Police” and become grandfathered. The conversion has a moderate cost, but at the present price of oil, there’s a very swift and real pay-back. Plus, the money spent for fuel stays right here at home.
    Maine is already being choked to death with laws and codes designed by many who have little knowledge of what they lord over. I suspect more are on their way. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting up a little earlier than they and planning my future before they (lawmakers) attempt to disrupt my conversion to alternative-fuel usage for the sake of those Maine oil dealers, Saudi Arabian emirates and state and Washington politicians.
    Keep in mind that the so-called “little guys” (that’s us) have scant protection against the “big guys” with lobby money.
    Gotta keep ahead of ‘em to survive.
Dick Graves
Presque Isle