Posted on 03/01/2008 10:27:38 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Mention air pollution, and what comes to mind? Factories. Oil refineries. Auto tailpipes.
Now Bay Area smog regulators are trying to crack down on another source that they say is just as significant, even if beloved: home fireplaces.
Citing growing medical research that soot causes more severe health problems than was previously realized, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is proposing a ban on all wood burning in fireplaces and wood stoves in the nine Bay Area counties during winter "Spare the Air" nights.
--snip--
If approved, fireplace police would enforce the rules, and neighbors would be encouraged to report neighbors.
"We understand a crackling fire is a long-held tradition of American family life," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district, based in San Francisco.
"But traditions need to be changed when there is information showing that our health and our neighbors' health are impacted."
--snip--
Supporters compare wood smoke dangers to that of cigarette smoke, and note natural gas fires are much cleaner. Critics call the proposal bureaucracy run amok.
--snip--
Kathy Voss-Jensen and Joel Jensen favor the rules. Three years ago, the Redwood City couple got a new neighbor who burns wood nearly every winter day despite their requests to limit it.
"It's very noxious and irritating," she said. "We have to keep our windows closed tight for several hours a day. And we have to keep them closed all night."
Others say the proposal goes too far.
"I think this is a precursor to banning all wood burning. It is a camel's nose under the tent," said Steve Drenker, a Los Altos sales manager whose 1950s ranch home has a fireplace.
Drenker burns only dry oak, he said, and his fires do not smoke up the neighborhood.
(Excerpt) Read more at origin.mercurynews.com ...
Where can I get raw tobacco leaves that I can burn in a barrel in the backyard just to piss off the nannies?
It’s hard to have a fire under water. Come on big one!
Yeah, we’ve had fireplace NAZI’s for some time here in the lower end of the valley. They actually cruise the neighborhoods with heat guns and looking for smoke. Progressive citations ratchet up the fines.
We should just all check into prison, where we can be more closely monitored and watched.
This has been going on in western Washington State for a couple of decades now. The air inversions which are common there, produced some vile, thick air that could last for weeks. It’s a beautiful area, just too many people, which is why we no longer live there.
Knew it was coming PING
Not much, and when the fireplace police come around they may just find out the logical answer to your question.
“We don’t have a fireplace in our house.”
I never lived in a house without a fireplace, and that was in the city.(Memphis)
In 1972 I bought a farm out from the city.
For a few years I had to live in a mobile home, but the first thing I did was buy one of those little conical shaped fireplaces and stuck it right in the middle of that tin box house.
BARBECUES! They must be stopped.
Charred Mammal Flesh is destroying the air in Hollywood. Act now! while there is still time to save the Earth! Millions and Millions of Barbecues going on unchecked are one of the biggest threats to Berkeley since Code Pink.....
How did such a beautiful place get inhabited by such excuses for human beings? You’d think stronger individuals would push them out.
The very fact that this Keven McAndrews is even talking about the price of an EPA-certfied wood stove shows how far downhill they’ve gone. The price? Why not the complete absurdity of the idea!
You valley folks are getting it from both ends..
saw this yesterday
Valley will get no extra air funds
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080229/A_NEWS/802290331/-1/A_NEWS
Alex Breitler
Stockton Record
February 29, 2008 6:00 AM
SACRAMENTO - A show of solidarity by Central Valley politicians on Thursday failed to increase the region’s share of an unprecedented $1 billion in air quality funding.
The Valley will see no more than the California Air Resources Board first proposed last month: $250 million, or one-quarter of the total, the board voted. Valley officials had asked for $370 million.
The money from voter-approved Proposition 1B will be used to reduce pollution from freight transport, including offering incentives to upgrade or replace the dirtiest diesel trucks that travel Valley highways each day.
BY THE NUMBERS
Here is how the state has said Proposition 1B funding should be spent:
• Los Angeles/Inland Empire: $550 million
• Central Valley: $250 million
• Bay Area: $140 million
• San Diego/border area: $60 million
“I’m disappointed, but we’ll make the $250 million work. It’s going to do a lot of good here in the Valley,” said Leroy Ornellas, a San Joaquin County supervisor and chairman of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Earlier Thursday, Ornellas told the state board that the proposed funding breakdown “totally ignores” the state’s commitment to help the region meet federal ozone standards.
He was one of many Valley politicians and advocates to testify during several hours of arguments.
Tussling for more money was inevitable between the South Coast region and the Valley, which together are expected to receive about 80 percent of the $1 billion.
“I do not see this as the civil war between the regions here,” said Pete Weber, representing the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. “What I think is going on here is we all have enormous needs, and we are all sympathetic to the needs of other regions.”
Valley air district officials said the region’s bowl-like shape makes each ton of emissions more dangerous to public health than in other areas. State air officials, however, have said that the Valley would benefit from cleaner trucks even if they’re funded elsewhere.
“I think we can guarantee (the money) will be put to good use,” said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the state Air Resources Board.
Just calm down folks. Think of all the trees that will be saved. All hail father tree!!! Give him a great big hug for me!
America,where is she???
Ahhh, you've stumbled on our Utopia! /koolaid drinking lib disease du jour
Yep...not enough political clout to counter S.F and L.A....that is why there have been several proposals to split the state, with the central valley in the conservative part.
Wow. Just like in Stalinist Russia.
“How did such a beautiful place get inhabited by such excuses for human beings?”
Thats what I want to know.
Both of my brothers spent most of their adult life in SF and
Marin county.
I still think the area is one of the most beautiful areas in the US, but is now such a cesspool of humanity.
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