Re: clean air article in Wednesday’s paper
It appears the CVRD is gathering comments from only those who have interests in air quality. Why was the general public not made aware of this going on? As we do not have a lobby group that can speak on our behalf, we are left in the dark. What is being discussed? Aside from the CVRD wanting to lump rural communities in with the likes of Duncan, what are they contemplating?
If they are listening to Jenny Lawson, who has to resort to hyperbole to make her case, then I fear the worst. She wants to ban all woodstoves. I would like to remind her of the blizzard of ‘96. There was no power so electric heat was out of the question. If one did not have natural gas, you were out of luck unless you had a woodstove. Those who did not were invited in to share the warmth. Those with generators had it even better but she probably would like to ban those also because of noise and the emissions.
If children are having breathing problems, before blaming wood smoke, put on a white glove and check for dust in the house first. Dust causes allergies which can contribute to poor health. Having no windows open and keeping the house too warm can also affect health.
Those of us who have woodstoves find that the heat is better than electric or gas. Also, because Christy Clark wants to give the appearance of a balanced budget, she is raising hydro rates so she can take more from them. Woodstoves cushion the blow.
If you want only hydro or gas then I have to assume you support Site C, which will impact treaty lands, farmers and the lands that could feed a million people and all the wildlife, but it’s not around here. Out of sight, so that’s okay. Also, if gas is the option, then it is fracking that impacts other people’s clean air and water quality.
The CVRD supported a woodstove change-out program in the past. If they are now considering banning these, then I want reimbursement and a monthly stipend to pay for the expensive use of electric heat. I would also like to remind the CVRD that, not only could there be another potential blizzard, there will be the big one occurring sometime and it may happen in any season. This will damage gas and water lines, hydro and other infrastructure. Woodstoves would be the only source of heat and generators will supply power.
To solve Duncan’s complaints, first build a bypass then build a dome over the town. Problem solved.
Ed Aiken
Cobble Hill
