[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I wonder when the Air Resources Board will prohibit people from using their fireplaces altogether?

[calcowgirl]

I'm surprised they haven't done it yet, but they are getting close. The following is from a fact sheet on SB 656, passed in 2003-04.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/pm/pmmeasures/sb656_fact_sheet.doc

PM [Particulate Matter] Problem Type:
Smoke from Wood-Burning Fireplaces and Heaters Establish a public awareness program;

Measures:
• Set a voluntary curtailment during periods with predicted high PM levels (or update to mandatory);
• Require all woodstoves and fireplace inserts installed be U.S. EPA certified or equivalent;
• Limit number of wood-burning fireplaces and heaters in new developments;
• Replace non-certified units upon property sale;
• Control wood moisture content;
• Prohibit burning of materials not intended for use in wood-burning appliance.

[Myrddin]

I wonder when the Air Resources Board will prohibit people from using their fireplaces altogether?

Shortly after they raise the cost of natural gas and electricity to levels you can't afford. The implementation will precede the next prolonged cold snap.

I have 10 cords of wood out on the basketball court. Very nice on those sub-zero nights. It significantly reduces the time the gas-fired forced air heater needs to run. We have about 8 inches of snow on the ground right now. A nice, white Christmas. I don't miss the madhouse in San Diego at all.

[dcrider182]

It's already happened. In a local county, they have implemented a no "wood burning fire place" .. only gas is allowed.. soon that won't be allowed..so are we gonna stop talking about all the freedoms we're loosing.. or are we going to march into office and fix them?

~D

[bubbacluck]

Wood burning fireplaces are already regulated on a voluntary basis when the thermal conditions are right. That's here in the San Joaquin Valley, (far north of Bakersfield). I asked a friend who works for the California EPA how this would be enforced if it ever became mandatory. He just laughed. There is only one EPA inspector for the whole valley. It would probably turn into neighbor turning in neighbor, or they will use satellite imaging, like a red light camera, and then you'd get a ticket in the mail. I don't like the direction it is going. Wood burning fireplaces are "cool".