Sander Kushen, sander.kushen@sierraclub.org
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-2 today to support two rules promoting non-polluting furnace and water heater alternatives for Southern California homes and businesses. If passed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in May, the rules would require manufacturers to meet increasing zero-emission furnace and water heater sales targets over time. Current alternatives to fossil fuel space and water heaters include heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling while costing less to operate in the long run.
The South Coast Air Basin has the worst air quality in the nation, with some of the worst rankings for ozone (smog) and particle pollution. Pollution from current water heaters and furnaces accounts for 12% of the region’s NOx pollution from stationary sources. If passed, the SCAQMD estimates that the rules would prevent 4,000 premature deaths and 16,000 newly onset cases of asthma.
Aura Vasquez, Chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Climate Action Committee, issued the following statement:
“As the federal government rolls back environmental protections and gives hand-outs to polluters, it's encouraging to see Los Angeles taking this important vote to support air quality and public health. The City Council is responding to a community tired of breathing the nation's most polluted air and watching its children develop asthma.
“With these proposed rules, we can reduce a major source of greenhouse gas emissions while also investing in more efficient, cost-effective technologies, ensuring utility bill savings for residents. Electric heat pumps are also vital for Los Angeles’ climate resilience. They can provide both pollution-free heating and life-saving cooling for the 1.2 million Angelenos who currently lack air conditioning, many in our most vulnerable communities. It’s a win-win for Angelinos and all South Coast residents.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.