Does anyone find it interesting that the task force, headed by a man who has staked his business life on selling indoor wood stoves, has not recommended the competition – outdoor wood boilers?

According to Victoria Wallack’s July 4 article, the task force contends that the outdoor wood boilers are too polluting. This is just wrong – and conveniently dismisses the Maine law that passed two years ago and is now in effect that severely limits emissions from outdoor wood boilers – and has sparked a new state-of-the-art boiler that is more clean burning than indoor wood stoves. In fact, the emission standards for the outdoor wood boilers are more stringent than the indoor ones.

The outdoor wood pellet stoves – which are in direct competition with Les Otten, the head of the task force, are extremely clean burning. So what is really going on with the task force and Otten’s leadership?

Why would the task force not recommend a clean burning option that is safer than indoor wood stoves (no house fires), has stringent emission standards, can heat the entire house rather than just one or two rooms, and is much more affordable than what Otten is selling?

Don’t Maine people deserve all options – and to be provided the truth about the new outdoor wood boilers?

Isn’t this a huge conflict? Should Otten, who will financially benefit from not recommending outdoor wood boilers, be allowed to lead the task force? Please look into this and write about it.

Sally Burt