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Woodsmoke
Learn about the Air District's Woodsmoke White Paper, which provides information and recommendations for further mitigating emissions from wood burning in the Bay Area.
The Air District has developed a White Paper detailing our current understanding of woodsmoke emissions in the Bay Area. The White Paper provides extensive information on wood burning in the Bay Area, the current state of the regulatory landscape for wood-burning devices, and a discussion of potential recommendations to further minimize woodsmoke emissions and exposures. Given the significance of the source and the known health impacts, Staff recommend developing policies to further minimize woodsmoke emissions and exposures, focused on wood burning for the purposes of ambiance or aesthetics (not as a primary source of heat). This includes consideration of the following potential amendments to Regulation 6, Rule 3: Wood-Burning Devices:
- Strengthening the Air District’s burn curtailment (i.e. periodic wood burning ban) program; and
- Accelerating the disabling and turnover of dirtier wood-burning devices.
Staff is seeking input on the level of stringency and mechanism for these proposed policy changes.
Air District Staff consider woodsmoke as an important source to evaluate as it represents over 10 percent of the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in the region on an annual basis with an even greater impact during the winter. The Air District has also committed to explore woodsmoke mitigation options through concerns identified in Assembly Bill (AB) 617 communities: West Oakland Community Action Plan (WOCAP) Further Study Measure #5 and Richmond-North Richmond-San Pablo Path to Clean Air (PTCA) Public Health Action (H) 2.5.
This White Paper is intended to be the first step in potential Air District rule development. It is important to note that Staff have not yet extensively evaluated impacts nor the required resources to explore potential policies or rule development efforts due to the wide range of possible mitigation strategies under consideration. An in-depth assessment of these impacts will take place during the development of potential rule amendments, with ample opportunities for stakeholder engagement prior to any proposal for Board consideration. Next steps in this woodsmoke policy initiative will include robust community and stakeholder engagement tailored to the response and public comment received on this White Paper and the policy options presented.
The Air District has released the White Paper for public review and comment:
The Air District is requesting written and/or email comments on the White Paper by 5:00 PM on January 20, 2025. Comments may be submitted to:
Rule Development
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
375 Beale Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
Or via e-mail to woodsmokerule@baaqmd.gov
Comments received will be considered in further rule development activities and other Air District efforts. To receive information on updates and events associated with further woodsmoke rule development activities, please sign up for the Air District's Woodsmoke and Wood-burning Appliances Rules and Regulations Email List at the bottom of this page.
Hearings, Workshops and Other Events
Throughout the rule development process, we provide information on upcoming and past workshops, hearings, and other events.
Documents
Supporting materials, such as staff reports, regulatory language, and other technical documents related to rule development, are posted throughout the development process.
Comments
The Air District provides opportunities for the public to submit comments throughout the development process, and posts comments received during the open public comment periods.
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Last Updated: 05/11/2024