Campaign for Clean Air Appliance Standards for Healthy Homes and Communities
coalition website / fact sheet
Dirty air in Southern California leads to higher rates of asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions that can lead to missed days of school or work, and even premature death. And gas-burning furnaces and water heaters contribute a significant portion of this pollution.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for setting policy to meet federal air quality standards in a region that covers four counties (Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino). SCAQMD is planning to strengthen gas furnace and water heater NOx emissions regulations to set a zero-emission standard. We are part of a coalition that supports the plan as a way to improve our local air quality and reduce our region’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The current plan (PAR 1111 and 1121) sets a clean appliance sales target for manufacturers, starting at 30% in 2027 and rising to 90% in 2036. Similar to vehicle fuel standards, the rules would not require any individual consumer to purchase zero-emission appliances. This action builds on more than 40 years of appliance emissions standards at SCAQMD. Click here to read our fact sheet.
The current plan is a good start, but should be strengthened. The latest version of the plan, shared by SCAQMD in February, results in significantly fewer emissions reductions compared to the previous version. We urge the SCAQMD to increase manufacturer sales targets while keeping individual consumer choice and not delaying a vote on the rules.
Timeline for SCAQMD Proposed Amended Rules (PAR) 1111/1121
March 6, 2025: Public Consultation
March 21, 2025: SCAQMD Stationary Source Committee Meeting
April 18, 2025: SCAQMD Stationary Source Committee Meeting
May 2, 2025: SCAQMD Board Meeting, with final vote on the rules