Phase Out Of Gas Water Heaters, HVAC Systems, Gets Rejected In Southern California

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Proposals that would have forced Riverside County home and business owners to replace their smog-generating gas water heaters and furnaces have been nixed, for now.

After a five-hour hearing Friday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District board in a 7-5 vote rejected the smog-fighting measures. The board also voted 7-4 to send the proposals back to committee, which means any new updates likely won’t be considered until next year.

The two SCAQMD rules, designed to address one of the biggest sources of Southern California smog, would have set increasing targets for sales of zero-emission products in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties over the next decade — beginning with 30% in 2027 and ramping up to 90% by 2036.

“While I remain firmly committed to reducing emissions and protecting air quality in the South Coast region, Rules 1111 and 1121 would have imposed a financial burden on homeowners and small businesses," said Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. "For these reasons, I voted no on the proposed rules.

"I look forward to working with stakeholders to improve the air quality in the South Coast air basin. But we must do this through a thoughtful, data-driven approach that balances environmental goals with economic and practical realities," Perez continued.

SCAQMD's 12-member governing board — made up largely of city and county elected officials — was divided in its vote. Perez was one of six SCAQMD board members from Orange County and the Inland Empire who voted against the measures, along with the board member representing western Los Angeles County cities. Members representing the state Senate, Assembly, city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County eastern cities and Los Angeles County Supervisors voted in favor of the rules.

The 10 million water heaters and furnaces in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties are among the largest sources of smog-causing gases in the L.A. basin, emitting almost 7 tons a day of nitrogen oxides.

The proposals would have eliminated 2.2 tons of nitrogen oxides a day by 2037 and 6 tons a day by 2061, according to SCAQMD data. By comparison, in 2037, oil refineries will emit 2 to 3 tons per day, utilities 4 tons per day and vehicles 7 tons per day, based on SCAQMD projections.

In addition to causing smog, gas appliances are also linked to indoor air pollution due to the emission of fine particles that can lead to respiratory problems.