*UPDATE – In 7-5 vote, AQMD rejected the gas appliance surcharge aimed at phasing out gas appliances to help improve air quality*
On Friday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board will vote on new regulations that could phase out gas water heaters and furnaces in Southern California. These appliances are significant contributors to smog, emitting more pollutants than the region’s largest industrial polluters. The proposed rules aim to reduce these emissions by requiring manufacturers to sell at least 30% zero-emission heating appliances by 2027 or pay a fee for selling gas appliances.
The plan is part of a broader strategy to improve air quality in the Los Angeles basin, which continues to struggle with severe smog issues. According to KTLA, the targets will increase over time, with a goal of 90% zero-emission sales by 2036. The rules would affect approximately 10 million units across the region, primarily in residential properties.
While the regulations are designed to improve public health by reducing smog-related health issues, they have faced opposition. Critics, including gas-appliance manufacturers and fossil fuel companies, argue that the measures will increase costs for consumers and strain the electric grid. The Los Angeles Times reports that the estimated cost of replacing a natural gas furnace with an electric heat pump could be higher, although supporters argue that long-term savings on utility bills will offset these costs.
Environmental groups support the regulations but believe they should be more aggressive. The rules, which have been in development for nearly two years, originally called for 100% zero-emission sales by 2031. However, they were amended after pushback from businesses and gas companies. According to CalMatters, the air quality agency estimates that switching to electric appliances will save residents between $191 million and $250 million annually on utility bills from 2027 to 2061.
The vote on these measures will determine the future of gas appliances in Southern California, with potential implications for air quality and consumer costs.
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