This is the latest on woodstove bylaws in the town I live in.
Media Release
For details on this and other City of Campbell River services, events and information,
please visit our website at
www.campbellriver.ca
September 17, 2009
Clean Air Bylaw to Ensure New Wood Stoves Meet Standards
At its September 15 meeting, City Council adopted amendments to the Clean Air Bylaw that
requires new wood stove installations in Campbell River to be certified to the Canadian
Standards Association or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
“Since 1992, the City has led many initiatives to reduce fine particulate air pollution,” says Mayor
Charlie Cornfield. “In recent years, the ban of backyard yard waste burning through the Clean
Air Bylaw has been a significant step towards improving local air quality. The City’s
Environmental Advisory Commission recommended the regulation of solid fuel burning
appliance standards as the next logical step.”
“Smoke from wood stoves remains a significant issue in many areas,” says Councillor Roy
Grant, the Council liaison to the Environmental Advisory Commission. “Fine particulates, such
as those found in wood smoke, were cited in a recent report by the Provincial Health Officer as
the worst kind of air pollution in BC, and exposure to high levels of particulates can play a role in
many kinds of respiratory diseases. The BC Lung Association confirms new technology stoves
emit 70 per cent less pollution on average, and this is the standard we will uphold for new
woodstove installations in Campbell River.”
“New wood stoves are also more efficient than older solid fuel burning appliances, so they use
less wood to provide more heat, and that’s a smarter, greener use of our resources,” the Mayor
adds.
The adoption of these amendments to the Clean Air Bylaw is timely, as the City recently
received a $20,000 grant from the Ministry of Environment for the Provincial Wood Stove
Exchange Program (PWEP). The City will work with the Lung Association of BC to administer
the initiative that provides financial incentives for community members to upgrade wood stoves.
“We are excited to announce that early in 2010 we will offer $250 rebates to the first 75
residents who voluntarily replace older, smoky and less-efficient wood stoves with new lowemission
appliances,” says Councillor Grant.
Burn It Smart education, providing tips and information to the public, is a mandatory component
of the initiative. In collaboration with the Provincial Government and PWEP project partners,
workshops will be held in the City over the winter months leading up to the woodstove
exchange. This will be a great opportunity for residents to learn about the program, find out how
the woodstove exchange works as well as other air quality initiatives and grants that may be
available. As further details become available, the City will continue to notify the media and post
information on the Internet at
www.campbellriver.ca.
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Contact: Terri Martin, Environmental Coordinator 250-286-5711
