After regulators voted Friday, the appliance, one of the leading causes of smog, could be phased out in Southern California.
The South Coast Air Quality Control District Management Committee will consider two rules that require gas supply and gas furnaces to be phased out, and manufacturers will consider selling at least 30% zero-emission heating appliances by 2027 or paying fees for the sale of gas appliances.
That percentage of zero-emission equipment will increase in future years.
“The target will rise over time, starting with a sales target of 30% in the first year, then increasing to 50% in 2029 and ultimately ending at 90% in 2036,” the Los Angeles Times reports. “The rules affect an estimated 10 million units across the region, with the majority of which being in residential real estate.”
Homeowners may view individual gas-powered water heaters or furnaces as nothing more than a drop in a bucket of smog sources in the area, but the cumulative effect can be enormous.
“These appliances release more smog-causing gas than the region’s largest industrial polluters,” Calmatters said.
In fact, gas-powered appliances are ranked only behind smog-produced vehicles, the outlet adds.
However, there is a great opposition to regulations.
“Opposites, including gas appliance makers, fossil fuel companies, and several local and commercial groups, will put a burden on the electrical grid and reduce consumer costs,” the Times said.
These critics point out that there is a high upfront cost for purchasing and installing zero-emission devices, but regulatory advocates say devices pay themselves through public health savings by reducing utility billing costs and reducing the impact of smog on Southern Californians.
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