FARMINGTON, Utah – The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is continuing to take public comment on a proposal that would ban wood burning in Utah during the winter months, and on Wednesday Farmington residents weighed in on the issue.
The proposed ban would impact seven northern Utah counties and would be in place annually from November to March. The proposal is part of an effort to improve air quality in the state. Most of the residents who attended Wednesday morning’s meeting were opposed to the proposal.
“Currently during inversions we have red burn days,” Davis County Resident Bryan Myers said. “Burning is already unlawful during red burn days, and homeowners, being overwhelmingly law-abiding, do not burn their appliances during these times. That means that the wood smoke in the air during inversions is generated by exempt entities--namely commercial enterprises, pizza ovens, etc.”
Stephanie Ivie of the Centerville City Council also expressed reservations about the proposal.
She said: “What about an earthquake? Natural gas lines are one of the dangers in an earthquake. How would we stay warm and fed in a winter after an earthquake if this legislation had relieved us of both the desire to store fuel and the ability to use it?”
The last of the scheduled meetings regarding air quality is set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Provo at the Utah County Health Department, 151 South University Ave., Room 1600.
The public comment period continues to February 9. You may submit written comments via email to mberger@utah.gov., or mail to: Mark Berger, DAQ, P.O. Box 144820, 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114.
MORE: Click here for more information on wood burning and air quality
