The Wood Burning Appliance Emissions Control Bylaw was adopted by Kimberley City Council last week.
The purpose of the bylaw is to enhance air quality and give Council the tools to monitor and enforce sub-standard burning of substances such as garbage or wet wood.
The bylaw also establishes a minimum standard of replacement of wood stoves, as well as supports the ongoing wood stove exchange program.
Enactment of the bylaw comes just in time as Wildsight launched their Wood Stove Exchange program on March 1.
During March and April, the City of Kimberley will waive the permit fees for installation of new appliances. In addition, there are a limited number of $250 rebates available on a first come, first serve basis to those who would like to upgrade their old stoves to new EPA/CSA certified models. As a further incentive to upgrade, participating retailers will offer $150 off during these months. Participating retailers include Advanced Stove and Fireplace, The Fireplace Cranbrook, Kootenay Flame Works and Tip Top Chimney Services.
A new EPA/CSA certified stove has some great benefits: they are more energy efficient, they require less wood, produce about 90 per cent less particulate matter (smoke) which improves air quality in and around homes, and they are safer - certified wood stoves will greatly reduce creosote buildup which is the prime cause of chimney fires.
More information on the exchange program can be found on the City’s website or contact erna@wildsight.ca or 250 427 9360 or check out www.wildsight.ca/kimcran/cleanair