A North Country state legislator says the “secretive process” that led to new regulations for outdoor wood boilers needs another look.

122nd District Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush said that while he is pleased the Department of Environmental Conservation extended the deadline for dealers to sell non-certified outdoor wood boilers, he believes the regulations still need revisiting by DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

“While I commend the DEC for relenting somewhat on the deadline regarding the sale of non-certified boilers, I remain dissatisfied with the new regulations and the secretive process by which they were passed last winter,” Blankenbush said.

The original rule that was passed by the DEC Environmental Board days before Christmas required dealers to begin selling new certified boilers by April 15. The emergency rule issued last Friday by the DEC delays that regulation through July 14.

Last December, Blankenbush came out strongly in opposition to the DEC’s proposed regulations on outdoor wood boilers, citing additional cost, and tried to stop the regulation’s passage.

Blankenbush, a Republican from Black River, says he spoke at the time with the interim commissioner explaining that the board’s disregard of a 30-day public comment period was troubling.

The board passed the measure creating setback and stack height requirements in addition to boiler model specifications.