Since this only applies to So Cal I decided to post it here to alert all of us under the rule of the AQMD
Kevin's corner (Kevin Jeffries CA State Rep.)
Where There's Smoke... There's Fees & Fines!
Even though the State legislature remains out of session, two state-created agencies have independently decided to make your life either a bit more expensive or a bit more regulated. Coincidentally, both issues revolve around you and fire - one dealing with fires inside your house, and one dealing with fires outside of your home. Let me explain.
First, our friends over at the South Coast Air Quality Management District - you know the bureaucracy that the people do NOT get to directly control or elect, has recently decided that most southern California homeowners with fireplaces need to be put under some additional government oversight to help you avoid making bad choices-like lighting-up your fireplace on a cold winter night!
Yep, operating your wood burning fireplace could soon bring you under the surveillance of the future AQMD Fireplace Police and some hefty fines. As of November 1st, the AQMD has implemented new regulations "asking residents to participate" in their "mandatory no-burn" program (That's really how they phrase it on their website!). The way this works, is that on days when the weather conditions are right/wrong and they judge that the air quality could be harmed, you will be forbidden from using your wood-burning fireplace. You need to check-in before you strike a match. Otherwise, failure to do so could result in a $50 fine or your attendance at a government mandated wood smoke sensitivity course, with the next fine bumping up to $150 and then to $500 for those of you who really don't take orders well.
There are a few exemptions, one of which is for residents living at an elevation over 3,000 feet, or for whom wood is the only heat source. You can review the Check Before You Burn Program here.
http://www.aqmd.gov/healthyhearths
/checkbeforeyouburn.htm
FYI- I recently found out the hard way that new water heaters in the AQMD region cost $90 more than one purchased in Victorville. We are required to use "ULTRA Low NOX" water heaters. Add that to the 5 cents per yard of carpet, 4 cents per qt of oil, plastic bottle fees, $8 and upTV/monitor fees, etc etc.
Kevin's corner (Kevin Jeffries CA State Rep.)
Where There's Smoke... There's Fees & Fines!
Even though the State legislature remains out of session, two state-created agencies have independently decided to make your life either a bit more expensive or a bit more regulated. Coincidentally, both issues revolve around you and fire - one dealing with fires inside your house, and one dealing with fires outside of your home. Let me explain.
First, our friends over at the South Coast Air Quality Management District - you know the bureaucracy that the people do NOT get to directly control or elect, has recently decided that most southern California homeowners with fireplaces need to be put under some additional government oversight to help you avoid making bad choices-like lighting-up your fireplace on a cold winter night!
Yep, operating your wood burning fireplace could soon bring you under the surveillance of the future AQMD Fireplace Police and some hefty fines. As of November 1st, the AQMD has implemented new regulations "asking residents to participate" in their "mandatory no-burn" program (That's really how they phrase it on their website!). The way this works, is that on days when the weather conditions are right/wrong and they judge that the air quality could be harmed, you will be forbidden from using your wood-burning fireplace. You need to check-in before you strike a match. Otherwise, failure to do so could result in a $50 fine or your attendance at a government mandated wood smoke sensitivity course, with the next fine bumping up to $150 and then to $500 for those of you who really don't take orders well.
There are a few exemptions, one of which is for residents living at an elevation over 3,000 feet, or for whom wood is the only heat source. You can review the Check Before You Burn Program here.
http://www.aqmd.gov/healthyhearths
/checkbeforeyouburn.htm
FYI- I recently found out the hard way that new water heaters in the AQMD region cost $90 more than one purchased in Victorville. We are required to use "ULTRA Low NOX" water heaters. Add that to the 5 cents per yard of carpet, 4 cents per qt of oil, plastic bottle fees, $8 and upTV/monitor fees, etc etc.
