Southern California opposes proposal to gradual reduction in new gas-powered heating systems for homes
The South Coast Air Quality Management District, home to over 17 million residents across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, has faced a significant setback in its bid to improve air quality.
In a 7-5 vote, the air quality regulators for Southern California rejected a plan to gradually phase down pollution from new gas-burning space and water heaters in homes. The rejected rules were updates to rules 1111 and 1121, and were the agency's strongest in three decades.
The rules, which were the subject of more than two years of development, aimed to reduce smog-forming emissions in the South Coast Air Quality Management District. They were seen as a chance to improve health, reduce medical expenses, and bring the region into compliance with the Clean Air Act.
However, the rules faced months of intense industry-led opposition. Opponents repeatedly claimed that the proposals were a mandate to switch to electric equipment and a ban on gas-burning appliances, but they were neither.
An investigation published by Floodlight and The Guardian last week found that SoCalGas and allied groups have been spreading misleading information about the rules since December. On Thursday, the Trump administration threatened to sue if the measures were adopted.
Despite the setback, Christopher Chavez, deputy policy director at the California nonprofit Coalition for Clean Air, remains hopeful. He believes that any further rejiggering of the rules is likely to be weaker than what was initially proposed.
According to the American Lung Association, the region has some of the nation's dirtiest air. The rejected plan would have significantly reduced air pollution from home appliances sold in the region, offering a glimmer of hope for those advocating for cleaner air. The rejected rules won't be revisited this year, according to the agency.
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