"The Bay Area Air District advanced its ban on buying natural gas water heaters, which are $3,500 cheaper than electric water heaters but emit nitrous oxides that cause lung problems, studies show. The ban will take effect on Oct. 1, 2027. Low-income residents or homeowners spending more than 28% of their income on their mortgage would be exempt. Contractors could also get an exemption for homes that don't have the space or electrical capacity."
"“I am very optimistic about the ability of our grid and our electrical supply to handle this,” Palo Alto Mayor Vicki Veenker said at today's meeting. Veenker compared nitrous oxides to secondhand smoke. She was one of 10 board members to support the ban, overruling eight board members against it."
"“This is a historic expansion of the district's regulatory power,” Mueller said. “Do we want to do this at this current time, with the current administration?” Clark said he's grateful that leaders before him banned dangers like asbestos despite political resistance, and it's on today's leaders to face the unintended consequences of natural gas infrastructure. “The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to correct course,” Clark said."
"Corzo said any family would choose a cost increase over slowly being poisoned. “It's kind of a no-brainer,” she said. Veenker said residents would end up saving money on health care. San Francisco Environment Director Tyrone Jue said cities can train contractors, streamline permits and offer financing to drive down costs."
The Bay Area Air District advanced a ban on purchasing natural gas water heaters that emit nitrous oxides linked to lung problems. The ban will begin Oct. 1, 2027. Natural gas units cost about $3,500 less than electric models, but officials said health impacts outweigh the price difference. Low-income residents and homeowners spending more than 28% of their income on their mortgage would be exempt. Contractors may also receive exemptions for homes lacking space or electrical capacity. Supporters compared nitrous oxides to secondhand smoke and said health care savings could offset costs. Opponents raised concerns about cost of living and expanded regulatory authority, while supporters cited the difficulty of correcting infrastructure decisions later.
#air-pollution-regulation #natural-gas-water-heaters #nitrous-oxides-and-health #bay-area-energy-infrastructure #cost-exemptions-and-affordability
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