We advocate for local cities and counties to create policies and programs that support replacing natural gas powered appliances with electric powered appliances in residential and commercial buildings. Replacing gas appliances with electric appliances, known as building electrification, has many climate and health benefits.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved air quality at home
- Reduced risk of fire resulting from gas leaks, especially in earthquake country
Natural Gas and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Buildings produce more than a quarter of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, and are the second largest producer of emissions in most cities. The natural gas powered appliances in these buildings are the source of these toxic emissions. These natural gas powered furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and dryers, can all be replaced with electric powered appliances.
Natural gas emissions create poor air quality not only outside, but also inside, in what should be the safety of our homes.
Air Quality at Home
Homes with natural gas powered appliances are not the safe environments many believe them to be. Gas appliances produce nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and ultrafine particles in our homes. Add factors of smaller homes, poor circulation, and health implications to those already vulnerable (children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions), and we see that the health of our families is at risk. Switching to electric powered appliances can immediately improve our air quality at home.
Risk of Gas Leaks or Fire
Poor air quality is not the only risk from natural gas powered appliances -- gas is also flammable. In regions with regular seismic activity, gas lines (especially older, deteriorating gas lines) can be damaged during an earthquake, leading to leaks and potentially fire or explosion.
The Solution
The solution is to replace gas appliances with electric powered appliances. With zero-emission appliances, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, can actually lower your monthly utility bills.
Our Chapter has encouraged cities to adopt Climate Action Plans with strong building electrification targets and measures. These plans include Cupertino’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 and San Jose’s Climate Smart San Jose Plan and Building Electrification Framework. We have also been instrumental in having dozens of cities to adopt reach codes requiring all-electric new construction.
The Chapter encouraged the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to adopt appliance rules phasing out the sale of gas appliances. Throughout our advocacy we have emphasized the importance of creating robust rebates and community education programs to ensure that residents can save money and have easy access to building electrification appliances.
Your Voice is Needed to Improve Air Quality on May 6th, 2026