Ed. Note: This bill is supported by Senate Democrats. It’s just an adjustment to current law that clarifies the role of the Department of Ecology in cleaning up the air by requiring new wood stoves to meet modern clean air standards. The criticisms lean toward the GOP practice of trying to make some sort of issue out of simply good governance.
A bill to overregulate wood stoves due to be voted out of committee tomorrow
HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5174
“This is ridiculous overreach!” – 4th LD Constituent
Wood-burning stoves are a critical home-heating source for many homeowners across Washington. Rural families depend on them more than those who live in bigger cities. Lower-income families, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else trying to make ends meet while energy costs soar will suffer under a bill that YOU still have time to stop in its tracks. Still others couldn’t stay warm during a power outage without them.
Senate Bill 5174, which was requested by the Washington State Department of Ecology, allows the agency to impose new rule and regulations on wood stoves, making them more expensive and out-of-reach for some Washingtonians.
The Legislature should not pass more regulations that will make heating our homes more expensive. It’s government overreach at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet
Watch a brief video message from Sen. Shelly Short, 7th LD.
Right now, if you needed to replace your wood stove, the ones on the market already comply with regulations from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The additional regulations are unnecessary.
Wood stoves make for a cozy home, but they are also a necessity for many people who own them. They are an affordable, reliable and self-sufficient heating source. SB 5174 could be the first step to an eventual ban on all traditional wood-burning fireplaces and other devices.
What can you do?
You can contact Senate Democrat leaders and tell them to let SB 5174 die in committee.
SB 5174 received a hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee on Jan. 24. It’s scheduled for a vote in that committee TOMORROW, FEB. 14. If the committee votes to move the bill, it will go to the Senate Rules Committee where the Democrats can pull it to the Senate floor for a vote. If that happens, the bill will pass because Democrats have the majority. If it passes, it will go to the House of Representatives for consideration, where you will get another chance to stop the bill from becoming law.
Email the Chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee
Email the Senate Majority Leader
Email the Majority Floor Leader
What are constituents saying about this bill?
The following are verbatim quotes from constituents in the 8th Legislative District who emailed our office to share their opposition to SB 5174. They make a great case against the bill.
8th Legislative District
“Wood stoves are the sole source of heat for many homes and this is especially crucial for those who live in areas with frequent power outages. This ban is just another money grab! “
“I urge you to oppose this bill. People need to be able to heat their homes during power outages. Passage of this would be costly and dangerous for homeowners who use wood heat as their only source of heat.”
“This is a ridiculous infringement on citizen’s rights. Its only purpose could be nothing more than control. Are you all retarded? What are rural citizens going to do when the power goes out in the winter? Who is gonna pay for the changes? I’m starting to wonder if I’m the one taking crazy pills!”
“Do not vote for restrictions of wood burning stoves/ fireplaces. You are going to kill even those on the streets that need that heat let alone your constituents that are being taxed to death from the WA state legislators and can’t afford to heat their homes. STOP THE INSANITY FOR WA STATE”
“Please do not support this bill. Currently it is 14 degrees where I am. How about we shut off all of the electricity in our state for 3 weeks and the natural gas. How do you really think people in our state would fare? People need to be able to survive in extreme circumstances and weather.”
“We need ALL the energy sources if we want to preserve any of them. Several rural homes and businesses are heated solely by wood-burning stoves. Let people use what they are comfortable with and be thankful they aren’t sucking away electricity from your EVs.”
“There are many places that do not have reliable power. By not allowing wood stoves you will be forcing people to freeze to death in the winter. Does Washington state take that liability? Think about Texas when they were without power for many days. A lot of them didn’t have backup heat of some sort and look at the aftermath.
This bill should be opposed due to this being the means for some to heat their homes and cook during a power outage. Relying only on electricity has been found time and time again to be without a doubt poor for those affected by a power outage. As part of a free nation, the people should have the right to choose how their homes are set up and how they warm it and cook on their day to day life. Imposing regulations on the people of this state and the US, in general, go against the founding principles of our constitution.”
“Please fight against this climate change bill of banning fireplaces, wood stoves. I rely on my fireplace for emergency heat and because it’s cheaper to buy firewood than run my electric furnace. For some, it’s their only heat source. These climate change bills are choking the life out of Washington citizens.”
“This is an absolutely ridiculous bill. You have no right to decide that we can’t use wood stoves. So sick of the overreach in WA!!!”
“This is a blanket ban and retro and seems vindictive and fully against my rights as a citizen of a free country I realize you want to turn WA into a communist state but you must stop! You stop Forrest fires first and when you can not have Forest fires for 10 straight years maybe we can revisit this one.”
“The state need to stop infringing in the freedoms of the people and let them live their lives and make their own decisions. Many people depend on wood burning stoves and fireplaces to heat their homes in winter. And theyre also trying to ban natural gas on top of that. Please Stop supporting the ridiculous Green new Scam.”
“Do any of these legislators have a clue how many people in rural areas burn wood to heat their homes. I was raised in a house where that was our only source of heat , and basically all that my parents could afford. In the economically depressed Tri-County area that metric still holds true for many families.”
“I strongly oppose this bill as our wood stove is our primary source of heat. Without it our heating bills in the winter would be outrageous and we would have to rely on space heaters, very unsafe. We cannot afford higher electric bills as we live on Social Security, please vote against this, they do not need to take this right away from us too!!”
Email the Senate Majority Leader and let them know you oppose the bill
Email the Majority Floor Leader and let them know you oppose the bill