Fairbanks

By slim margin, Fairbanks voters open door for local air pollution measures

FAIRBANKS -- An initiative to extend a ban on local efforts to curb air pollution from wood smoke failed after the final votes were counted from last week's election, opening the door for the Fairbanks North Star Borough to consider local control measures as it works with the state to reduce pollution levels.

The initiative, championed by North Pole Rep. Tammie Wilson, failed with 5,825 no votes to 5,470 yes votes when about 1,500 absentee and questioned ballots were counted Tuesday. The vote was 51.57 percent against the measure and 48.43 percent in favor of it.

Rejection of the initiative will not change the local ordinance that keeps the borough from taking steps to limit air pollution but it will allow the mayor and borough assembly to consider proposals.

Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins said he will be meeting with state officials to consider the status of state regulations and how the borough might improve air quality. He rejected any talk that this would lead to banning wood stoves, arresting people or preventing people from staying warm in the winter, allegations that have been made in the past by those who opposed local regulatory efforts.

Approval of the initiative would have meant that for two more years at least, the borough would be unable to modify an ordinance now on the books that says the "borough shall not, in any way, regulate, prohibit, curtail, nor issue fines or fees associated with the sale, distribution or operation of heating appliances of any type of combustible fuel."

Under state law, an initiative cannot be modified for two years after its approval by voters.

Four years ago, Wilson led a campaign opposing all regulations dealing with wood smoke pollution. Wilson said it was "government at its worst" to regulate the way people heat their homes.

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Early on, Wilson opposed a borough measure that said people who have wood stoves or outdoor wood boilers that create a neighborhood nuisance would be warned to stop it. If they failed to end the nuisance, a fine of $30 would be issued on the first offense and $50 on the second offense.

Through Wilson's campaign, the borough did away with efforts to curb wood smoke pollution, while the state has delayed its effort to write regulations.

"The concern for air quality is subordinate to the need for warmth," Wilson's group said in 2010. Later, she said she favored state regulations, but when draft proposals were released a year ago, she spoke against them.

Citizens for Clean Air, a group that opposed the initiative, said the measure was an attempt to prevent any action by local government to deal with pollution.

"They want government to sit on its hands while a few continue to burn irresponsibly. Our opponents are fiddling while Fairbanks burns," Citizens for Clean Air said.

Dermot Cole

Former ADN columnist Dermot Cole is a longtime reporter, editor and author.

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