Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

17 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

21 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

21 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

22 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

22 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

22 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

22 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

22 hours ago
Opinion: Agencies Should Follow CARB’s Leadership on Emissions From Gas Appliances
gvw_calmatters
By CalMatters
Published 5 years ago on
December 2, 2020

Share

California led the nation earlier this year with the country’s first gas-powered vehicle phase-out, but the state’s air regulators aren’t stopping there.

An overlooked directive during a recent California Air Resources Board meeting was the first step in phasing out gas-powered appliances in our homes, citing the health and climate risks.

By Denise Grab

Special to CalMatters

Board members voted unanimously to adopt a groundbreaking resolution that commits the agency to taking significant action on emissions from gas appliances in buildings. As Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols indicated, this is the clearest commitment that the board has made to-date to address the climate and health impacts from gas appliance emissions in the buildings sector. And to my knowledge, this is the strongest statement so far on building emissions from any air regulator nationwide.

With the new resolution, the Air Resources Board is committing to support the California Energy Commission and other agencies to adopt new building standards that require better ventilation of gas appliances and encourage electric appliances. They also intend to support new rules to reduce nitrogen oxides and other harmful emissions from gas appliances, while expanding their efforts to improve health within disadvantaged communities.

Fossil fuel appliances, such as gas stoves, furnaces and water heaters, emit pollutants known to harm health and increase asthma risk. One in eight Californians has asthma, and asthma rates are even higher in lower-income communities and communities of color. More than 12 million Californians living in homes with a gas stove are breathing levels of nitrogen dioxide that would be illegal outdoors, while 1.7 million are breathing levels of carbon monoxide that would exceed outdoor limits.

Meanwhile, building emissions are the No. 1 source of premature deaths from air pollution statewide, accounting for more than 6,000 premature deaths per year. These health risks can be avoided by removing combustion sources from our buildings and using clean and efficient all-electric alternatives, like heat pumps.

A Huge First Step and an Important Signal

This resolution marks the beginning, not the end, of the process to enact formal regulations that are directly binding on appliance manufacturers and other relevant entities. But it is a huge first step and an important signal to the market about where policy is heading.

The Air Resources Board’s resolution comes at a crucial time, as the California Energy Commission is currently making key decisions for its 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. More than 200 organizations and individuals have submitted comments to the commission in support of an all-electric code for 2022. Supporters range from health professionals, to environmental justice organizations, to architects and building engineers, to electrical contractors, to utility companies, to city and county leaders from across the state. This commission process will determine whether the state will still allow polluting and expensive gas infrastructure in new buildings, or whether California’s buildings will shift toward a cleaner and healthier all-electric future.

California is currently adding more new gas connections than any other state, which is only taking us further away from our climate goals. If we wait until the next code cycle in 2025 to move toward an all-electric building code, that will result in 3 million excess metric tons of carbon emissions by 2030, and more than $1 billion of unnecessary spending on new gas connection infrastructure.

All-electric buildings can also reduce costs over the life of the appliances, as compared to gas alternatives. A new single-family home in Oakland with electric space and water heating will save customers more than $2,000 compared to heating with gas. Meanwhile, California households can expect to save money on their energy bills with new heat pump appliances, compared to their older gas appliances.

With all-electric buildings, we can save money, protect public health, and help our state achieve its climate goals. California Air Resources Board’s resolution shows crucial leadership on the importance of building electrification for the state to meet its climate, health and economic goals. It’s now time for other state leaders, like the governor and members of the California Energy Commission, to step up and lead on building electrification, as well.

About the Author

Denise Grab is a manager on Rocky Mountain Institute’s Carbon-Free Buildings team, where she focuses on California policy and appliance regulation, dgrab@rmi.org. She lives in San Francisco.

[activecampaign form=19]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

DON'T MISS

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

DON'T MISS

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

DON'T MISS

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

UP NEXT

A Path Forward on Immigration Reform That Strengthens America

UP NEXT

Israel Faces Genocide Accusations Amid Gaza Food Aid Killings

UP NEXT

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

UP NEXT

Much of LA’s Community of Immigrants Is Hiding, Leaving a Hole in the Fabric of the City

UP NEXT

Things Netanyahu Might Say if Injected With Truth Serum

UP NEXT

California Politicians Ignore Ag’s Troubles, but Boost Movie Business

UP NEXT

Trump’s Courageous and Correct Decision to Bomb Iran

UP NEXT

How the Attacks on Iran Are Part of a Much Bigger Global Struggle

UP NEXT

Groceries Are Now a Luxury. So Is Breathing.

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

15 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

15 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

15 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

16 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

16 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

17 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

17 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

17 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

17 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

18 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

14 hours ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
14 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
14 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
15 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

15 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
16 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend