Nancy Alderman’s passion about a wood smoke bill prompted the environment committee’s chairman to single her out at a public hearing Monday- and not because of her ideas.
Alderman cut off state Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, D-Tolland, as he commented on the bill, which would both ban outdoor wood-burning furnances from April 15 to October 15 and make wood smoke a public nuisance
Alderman, president of Enivronment and Human Health Inc., favors the wood smoke bill, saying it is a step in the right direction. In her testimony, she stressed that wood smoke furnances are dangerous and can cause health problems. Wood smoke plumes can travel about a half mile, she added, noting that nine Connecticut towns already prohibit wood smoke, incouding Granby, Hadaam and Woodbury.
Hurlburt, however, said he thinks the bill is not necessary because local health departments already have the right to regulate such issues.
The obvious clash got to Alderman, who interrupted the senator, acknowledged the difference of opinion and told him that she was never going to make him understand. Hurlburt responded by saying that he still had the floor.
As the confrontation unfolded, there were a few chuckles from those in the packed hearing room. The exchange prompted Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, co-chairman of the environment committee, to intervene. Roy politely told Alderman that she could not interrupt people during the hearing just because she was upset.
Alderman apologized.