RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The General Assembly wants to make sure Virginia remains friendly to wood stoves. After a spirited debate Wednesday, the state Senate approved a House-passed measure that would prohibit the State Air Pollution Control Board from adopting any regulations limiting emissions from home wood heaters. The board would also be prohibited from enforcing any such regulations adopted by the federal government. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed regulations on new home wood heaters. Supporters of the bill warned that the EPA would take away wood stoves from Virginians who can afford no other source of heat. Opponents pointed out that any regulations adopted by the agency would apply only to new stoves, not existing ones. The bill was approved 32-7 and now goes to Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
