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13. MARICOPA COUNTY PROPANE FIRE PIT PROGRAM Authorization is requested to develop and administer a pilot Propane Fire Pit Program. Using $50,000 in settlement funds, Maricopa County will partner with one or more retailers to provide a voucher program for County residents to purchase a new propane fire pit. When used instead of burning wood, propane fire pits will reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions that can have harmful impacts on residents. PM 2.5 is an EPA pollutant that can make its way deep into the lungs and enter the blood stream, causing significant health issues, including acute asthma and heart disease. Further, if EPA’s standards for PM 2.5 are exceeded, more stringent regulations and potential negative economic impacts for Maricopa County could result. The Propane Fire Pit Program will provide cleaner-burning options to wood burning fire pits. By assisting residents in obtaining cleaner-burning gas devices, the program will aid in the reduction of PM 2.5 during the wood burning season. Recent survey data indicate that approximately 80% of County residents with fire pits currently burn wood. This program will enhance the County’s larger Burn Cleaner, Burn Better winter campaign, and will be available County-wide to existing residents. The pilot program will work with at least one retailer that will be chosen through an RFP process. The retailer(s) chosen will be asked to offer at least three models of propane gas fire pits within the price ranges of $99.99-$399.99 for the residents of Maricopa County to purchase at a discounted rate. MCAQD has set the voucher amount at $50.00 which will be provided to 1,000 homeowners on a first come first serve basis. (C-85-18-002-M-00)