Latest news with #VanessaDelgado
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
California board hits pause on plan to phase out gas appliances
Read the Los Angeles Times story here. A board that regulates air quality in the Los Angeles area voted Friday to consider more alternatives to its plan to levy a fee aimed at phasing out gas-fired water heaters and furnaces. That proposal was defeated on a 7-5 vote. But board members agreed 7-4 to consider less-stringent options, citing concerns over the cost to property owners and manufacturers and the ability of the electric grid to withstand more demand. South Coast Air Quality Management District Board Chair Vanessa Delgado said that means any rule changes aimed at lowering nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions likely would not come before the board until at least next year. The proposed rules would have encouraged homeowners to buy furnaces and water heaters that emit no NOx — a key pollutant contributing to smog — by placing a fee on manufacturers that sell natural-gas-fired appliances in the district. More than 200 speakers testified in person and online for and against the plan. The governing board's vote followed a warning Friday from Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, that any action to impede the use of domestic energy resources would face a legal challenge by his office. 'California regulators are on notice: if you pass illegal bans or penalties on gas appliances, we'll see you in court,' Essayli said on X. 'The law is clear — feds set energy policy, not unelected climate bureaucrats.' Opponents of the rule changes told the board that housing was already too expensive and the cost of living too high for area residents. Floodlight found that a coalition of groups that included SoCalGas, the country's largest gas utility, led a massive opposition campaign that included convincing officials from dozens of cities in the four-county district to oppose the rules. Those testifying in favor cited the positive health effects of the rules, which were projected to prevent 2,490 premature deaths and avoid 10,200 asthma cases by cutting NOx emissions by six tons per day. Some noted that natural gas — also known as methane — is a potent greenhouse gas that helped make the devastating wildfires that ripped through the Los Angeles area in January more likely. In voting against the proposed rules, board member Janet Nguyen said they would unnecessarily penalize people by raising the cost of household appliances. 'I, like everybody here, support clean air,' said Nguyen, who also serves as an Orange County supervisor. 'But we must also pursue environmental progress without punishing the very people we serve today. These rules don't target refineries or shipping ports. They target people, the 17 million homeowners, renters ...' Board member Holly Mitchell took the other side, saying the rules were needed to improve air quality in the nation's smoggiest air basin. 'If we don't start now, when will we effect any change?' asked Mitchell, a Los Angeles County supervisor. 'We have the worst air quality in the nation. That forces us to make hard decisions.' Board member Patricia Lock Dawson, mayor of Riverside, reflected her colleagues' mixed feelings. 'It is our job to improve air quality. We are specifically charged with reducing NOx,' Lock Dawson said. 'But Californians are really struggling now. (And) poverty is a health issue, too.' She added: 'I wish this were more carrot than stick.' To meet the targets, 30% of manufacturers' sales would have needed to consist of zero-emission models starting in 2027. That would rise to 50% in 2029 and eventually 90% by 2036. The rules were projected to affect 10 million gas appliances. Under the rules, manufacturers would be charged $100 for each gas furnace and $50 for every gas water heater they sell within the targets. For sales that exceed the cap, they would pay $500 and $250, respectively. Revenue from these fees would be used to help pay for zero-emission appliances, especially in disadvantaged communities, according to the air district. The proposal was a 'compromise,' Mitchell said, noting that staff had made numerous changes in the original proposed rule changes to answer cost concerns. Among the thousands who had registered opinions with the air-quality district ahead of the vote was second-grade teacher Barbara Ishida. Her Altadena home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Ishida's vision is to build a fire-resistant home with no gas appliances. That approach is backed by a University of California Berkeley study released in April that concluded all-electric construction is the fastest, most cost-effective and most climate-friendly strategy to rebuild after the fires. Ishida had signed a letter supporting the proposed rules because she believed they would encourage Altadena to build back in a sustainable way. She criticized opponents for 'thinking short term.' 'They're just putting profits over people,' Ishida said in an interview before the vote. 'They're not thinking long term, And they're not thinking very well for the next generation.' Floodlight freelance reporter Hilary Beaumont contributed to this story. Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action.
2 days ago
- Business
Southern California air regulators weigh a plan to phase out gas furnaces and water heaters
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. -- Air quality regulators in Southern California heard impassioned public comments Friday before an anticipated vote on proposed rules that would curb harmful emissions from gas-powered furnaces and water heaters. The rules aim to reduce emissions of smog-contributing nitrogen oxides, also called NOx, a group of pollutants linked to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, worse allergies, decreased lung function in children, premature death and more. Burning natural gas is also one of the primary drivers of climate change. The South Coast Air Quality Management District estimates that the rules, if passed, will lower NOx emissions from gas-fired furnaces, preventing about 2,490 premature deaths and 10,200 new asthma cases over a 26-year period in the region. The district regulates air quality for 16.8 million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County and large areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — one of the smoggiest areas in the U.S. The proposals come as California moves aggressively to reduce the state's reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels and ahead of a 2045 mandate for the state to have net-zero carbon emissions. The rules would set targets that aim to phase out the sale of gas-powered furnaces and water heaters starting in 2027. It does not apply to gas stoves. The sales target would start at 30%, then grow to 50% in 2029 and end at 90% in 2039. The rules would not be mandated, but manufacturers would have to pay fees ranging from $50 to $500 if they sell gas-powered appliances. That's a significant rollback from the original proposal, which would have required residential buildings to meet zero-emissions standards beginning in 2029 when appliances need to be replaced. The agency amended the rules after strong opposition from Southern California Gas and other businesses. The regulations would impact more than 10 million appliances in an estimated 5 million buildings, most of them residential. Officials and supporters say the rules would reduce air pollution and substantially improve public health. But opponents — including property owners, industry professionals and natural gas companies — fear they could raise costs for consumers and businesses, and strain the power grid by adding more electric appliances. During a packed board meeting Friday, clean air advocates held signs reading 'Clean Air Now," 'Vote 4 Clean Air, Vote 4 Justice" and 'Let SoCal Breath!' Before public comments, board chair Vanessa Delgado thanked the more than 200 people who signed up to speak about the rules, which took more than two years to craft. 'I don't believe that there's necessarily a good or right answer about these rules. I believe that it is very complicated and I know that every single one of these board members are doing what is right to move forward air quality goals in our region," she said. Lynwood City Councilmember Juan Muñoz-Guevara said the rules would be a long-overdue step toward environmental justice for communities like his. 'I've seen firsthand how families in my community are forced to live with the health consequences of dirty air. Our children grow up with asthma, our elders struggle with respiratory illness, and too many lives are cut short," he said. "Gas appliances in our home are one of the largest sources of smog-forming pollution in the region. We cannot meet clean air goals without tackling this.' Peggy Huang, a member of Yorba Linda's City Council, urged the board to reject the rules. 'As someone who's been advocating for affordable housing, this will increase costs for us to meet those goals,' Huang said. Chino's mayor pro tem, Curtis Burton, echoed some of Huang's concerns. He said the rules would 'create an additional financial burden on residents and businesses.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southern California air regulators weigh a plan to phase out gas furnaces and water heaters
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (AP) — Air quality regulators in Southern California heard impassioned public comments Friday before an anticipated vote on proposed rules that would curb harmful emissions from gas-powered furnaces and water heaters. The rules aim to reduce emissions of smog-contributing nitrogen oxides, also called NOx, a group of pollutants linked to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, worse allergies, decreased lung function in children, premature death and more. Burning natural gas is also one of the primary drivers of climate change. The South Coast Air Quality Management District estimates that the rules, if passed, will lower NOx emissions from gas-fired furnaces, preventing about 2,490 premature deaths and 10,200 new asthma cases over a 26-year period in the region. The district regulates air quality for 16.8 million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County and large areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — one of the smoggiest areas in the U.S. The proposals come as California moves aggressively to reduce the state's reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels and ahead of a 2045 mandate for the state to have net-zero carbon emissions. The rules would set targets that aim to phase out the sale of gas-powered furnaces and water heaters starting in 2027. It does not apply to gas stoves. The sales target would start at 30%, then grow to 50% in 2029 and end at 90% in 2039. The rules would not be mandated, but manufacturers would have to pay fees ranging from $50 to $500 if they sell gas-powered appliances. That's a significant rollback from the original proposal, which would have required residential buildings to meet zero-emissions standards beginning in 2029 when appliances need to be replaced. The agency amended the rules after strong opposition from Southern California Gas and other businesses. The regulations would impact more than 10 million appliances in an estimated 5 million buildings, most of them residential. Officials and supporters say the rules would reduce air pollution and substantially improve public health. But opponents — including property owners, industry professionals and natural gas companies — fear they could raise costs for consumers and businesses, and strain the power grid by adding more electric appliances. During a packed board meeting Friday, clean air advocates held signs reading 'Clean Air Now," 'Vote 4 Clean Air, Vote 4 Justice" and 'Let SoCal Breath!' Before public comments, board chair Vanessa Delgado thanked the more than 200 people who signed up to speak about the rules, which took more than two years to craft. 'I don't believe that there's necessarily a good or right answer about these rules. I believe that it is very complicated and I know that every single one of these board members are doing what is right to move forward air quality goals in our region," she said. Lynwood City Councilmember Juan Muñoz-Guevara said the rules would be a long-overdue step toward environmental justice for communities like his. 'I've seen firsthand how families in my community are forced to live with the health consequences of dirty air. Our children grow up with asthma, our elders struggle with respiratory illness, and too many lives are cut short," he said. "Gas appliances in our home are one of the largest sources of smog-forming pollution in the region. We cannot meet clean air goals without tackling this.' Peggy Huang, a member of Yorba Linda's City Council, urged the board to reject the rules. 'As someone who's been advocating for affordable housing, this will increase costs for us to meet those goals,' Huang said. Chino's mayor pro tem, Curtis Burton, echoed some of Huang's concerns. He said the rules would 'create an additional financial burden on residents and businesses.' But air quality regulators say the rules would save consumers money by reducing energy bills.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Southern California air regulators weigh a plan to phase out gas furnaces and water heaters
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (AP) — Air quality regulators in Southern California heard impassioned public comments Friday before an anticipated vote on proposed rules that would curb harmful emissions from gas-powered furnaces and water heaters. The rules aim to reduce emissions of smog-contributing nitrogen oxides, also called NOx, a group of pollutants linked to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, worse allergies, decreased lung function in children, premature death and more. Burning natural gas is also one of the primary drivers of climate change. The South Coast Air Quality Management District estimates that the rules, if passed, will lower NOx emissions from gas-fired furnaces, preventing about 2,490 premature deaths and 10,200 new asthma cases over a 26-year period in the region. The district regulates air quality for 16.8 million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County and large areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — one of the smoggiest areas in the U.S. The proposals come as California moves aggressively to reduce the state's reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels and ahead of a 2045 mandate for the state to have net-zero carbon emissions. The rules would set targets that aim to phase out the sale of gas-powered furnaces and water heaters starting in 2027. It does not apply to gas stoves. The sales target would start at 30%, then grow to 50% in 2029 and end at 90% in 2039. The rules would not be mandated, but manufacturers would have to pay fees ranging from $50 to $500 if they sell gas-powered appliances. That's a significant rollback from the original proposal, which would have required residential buildings to meet zero-emissions standards beginning in 2029 when appliances need to be replaced. The agency amended the rules after strong opposition from Southern California Gas and other businesses. The regulations would impact more than 10 million appliances in an estimated 5 million buildings, most of them residential. Officials and supporters say the rules would reduce air pollution and substantially improve public health. But opponents — including property owners, industry professionals and natural gas companies — fear they could raise costs for consumers and businesses, and strain the power grid by adding more electric appliances. During a packed board meeting Friday, clean air advocates held signs reading 'Clean Air Now,' 'Vote 4 Clean Air, Vote 4 Justice' and 'Let SoCal Breath!' Before public comments, board chair Vanessa Delgado thanked the more than 200 people who signed up to speak about the rules, which took more than two years to craft. 'I don't believe that there's necessarily a good or right answer about these rules. I believe that it is very complicated and I know that every single one of these board members are doing what is right to move forward air quality goals in our region,' she said. Lynwood City Councilmember Juan Muñoz-Guevara said the rules would be a long-overdue step toward environmental justice for communities like his. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'I've seen firsthand how families in my community are forced to live with the health consequences of dirty air. Our children grow up with asthma, our elders struggle with respiratory illness, and too many lives are cut short,' he said. 'Gas appliances in our home are one of the largest sources of smog-forming pollution in the region. We cannot meet clean air goals without tackling this.' Peggy Huang, a member of Yorba Linda's City Council, urged the board to reject the rules. 'As someone who's been advocating for affordable housing, this will increase costs for us to meet those goals,' Huang said. Chino's mayor pro tem, Curtis Burton, echoed some of Huang's concerns. He said the rules would 'create an additional financial burden on residents and businesses.' But air quality regulators say the rules would save consumers money by reducing energy bills.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southern California air regulators weigh a plan to phase out gas furnaces and water heaters
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (AP) — Air quality regulators in Southern California heard impassioned public comments Friday before an anticipated vote on proposed rules that would curb harmful emissions from gas-powered furnaces and water heaters. The rules aim to reduce emissions of smog-contributing nitrogen oxides, also called NOx, a group of pollutants linked to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, worse allergies, decreased lung function in children, premature death and more. Burning natural gas is also one of the primary drivers of climate change. The South Coast Air Quality Management District estimates that the rules, if passed, will lower NOx emissions from gas-fired furnaces, preventing about 2,490 premature deaths and 10,200 new asthma cases over a 26-year period in the region. The district regulates air quality for 16.8 million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County and large areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — one of the smoggiest areas in the U.S. The proposals come as California moves aggressively to reduce the state's reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels and ahead of a 2045 mandate for the state to have net-zero carbon emissions. The rules would set targets that aim to phase out the sale of gas-powered furnaces and water heaters starting in 2027. It does not apply to gas stoves. The sales target would start at 30%, then grow to 50% in 2029 and end at 90% in 2039. The rules would not be mandated, but manufacturers would have to pay fees ranging from $50 to $500 if they sell gas-powered appliances. That's a significant rollback from the original proposal, which would have required residential buildings to meet zero-emissions standards beginning in 2029 when appliances need to be replaced. The agency amended the rules after strong opposition from Southern California Gas and other businesses. The regulations would impact more than 10 million appliances in an estimated 5 million buildings, most of them residential. Officials and supporters say the rules would reduce air pollution and substantially improve public health. But opponents — including property owners, industry professionals and natural gas companies — fear they could raise costs for consumers and businesses, and strain the power grid by adding more electric appliances. During a packed board meeting Friday, clean air advocates held signs reading 'Clean Air Now," 'Vote 4 Clean Air, Vote 4 Justice" and 'Let SoCal Breath!' Before public comments, board chair Vanessa Delgado thanked the more than 200 people who signed up to speak about the rules, which took more than two years to craft. 'I don't believe that there's necessarily a good or right answer about these rules. I believe that it is very complicated and I know that every single one of these board members are doing what is right to move forward air quality goals in our region," she said. Lynwood City Councilmember Juan Muñoz-Guevara said the rules would be a long-overdue step toward environmental justice for communities like his. 'I've seen firsthand how families in my community are forced to live with the health consequences of dirty air. Our children grow up with asthma, our elders struggle with respiratory illness, and too many lives are cut short," he said. "Gas appliances in our home are one of the largest sources of smog-forming pollution in the region. We cannot meet clean air goals without tackling this.' Peggy Huang, a member of Yorba Linda's City Council, urged the board to reject the rules. 'As someone who's been advocating for affordable housing, this will increase costs for us to meet those goals,' Huang said. Chino's mayor pro tem, Curtis Burton, echoed some of Huang's concerns. He said the rules would 'create an additional financial burden on residents and businesses.' But air quality regulators say the rules would save consumers money by reducing energy bills. Dorany Pineda, The Associated Press
