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Regulators want to ban fireplace blazes on 'Spare the Air nights'
Mercury News ^ | 3/1/08 | Paul Rogers

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 ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: airpollution; blazes; california; fireplace; nannystate; regulators; smokenazis; snitch; sparetheair
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To: NormsRevenge

They (cities and counties) won’t go after illegal aliens and their complaint is lack of man power. But they will go after your wood burning fire place


81 posted on 03/02/2008 2:01:57 AM PST by dennisw (Never bet on a false prophet! <<<||>>> Never bet on Islam!)
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To: NormsRevenge

It’s not just in Kalifornia...

Check out this from Illinois:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=140997
~snip~
“”Kenneth Dubinski of Elk Grove Village is leading a group seeking to prevent wood smoke from wafting through the air, pushing to ban what he calls the new secondhand smoke. He is working to galvanize support on the heels of a statewide tobacco smoking ban.””

This guy pushed the SHS and Smoking Bans, which passed in Illinois, now he has to find something else to do to pay the mortgage.


82 posted on 03/02/2008 6:40:16 AM PST by libertarian27 (Land of the Fee, Home of the Shamed)
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To: libertarian27

Looks like your typical mincing socialist fag who wants the government and its guns to force everyone to live the way he wants.


83 posted on 03/02/2008 10:19:42 PM PST by The Ghost of Rudy McRomney (Ohio & Texas-cross over & vote Obama! LEAVE NO DOUBT! TAKE THEM OUT!)
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To: The Ghost of Rudy McRomney

Absolutely, and that is the correct use of the word ‘Fag’ in my opinion. I don’t use that word to describe Homosexuals but use it to describe people like him.


84 posted on 03/03/2008 4:12:04 AM PST by libertarian27 (Land of the Fee, Home of the Shamed)
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To: 4yearlurker

“All hail father tree”
Except the ones that block neighbors solar panels, they’re EVIL (sarc)


85 posted on 03/03/2008 7:35:17 AM PST by beefree (AMERICA BLESS GOD)
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To: Cicero

“get religion”

already got one..Climate Change


86 posted on 03/03/2008 7:39:42 AM PST by beefree (AMERICA BLESS GOD)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

Hey, good to see ya buddy. I hope all is well.


87 posted on 03/03/2008 11:52:58 AM PST by CSM (Kakistocracy: Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.)
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To: CSM

Good to see you as well. I’ve been hiding from the authorities for over two years.

Hows been you?


88 posted on 03/03/2008 11:57:31 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (I voted Republican because no Conservatives were running.)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

About as good as can be, considering my state of residence. I am working Dave Ramsey’s plan and could break free from the chains of MI soon.


89 posted on 03/03/2008 12:05:58 PM PST by CSM (Kakistocracy: Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.)
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To: CSM

Laura Earl and I are doing great. Dave Ramsey is pretty good but I’m not sure I agree with his advice on life insurance for young people.


90 posted on 03/03/2008 12:16:33 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (I voted Republican because no Conservatives were running.)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

I get his logic, but then it is just me and my mutt, so I understand I might have different worries.

Gotta hit the road...


91 posted on 03/03/2008 1:08:05 PM PST by CSM (Kakistocracy: Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.)
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To: NormsRevenge
"But traditions need to be changed when there is information showing that our health and our neighbors' health are impacted."

This is unintentionally hilarious coming from Bay Area regulators, where there are other peculiar "traditions," which "impact" public health.

92 posted on 03/03/2008 1:10:06 PM PST by B Knotts (Calvin Coolidge Republican)
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To: CSM

That is a different demographic. Later


93 posted on 03/03/2008 1:16:58 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (I voted Republican because no Conservatives were running.)
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