BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Bay Area officials decided today (May 13) that curbing pollution is more important than affordability of water heaters right now.
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.
From the Peninsula, San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo and Mountain View Councilman Chris Clark were in favor, and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller was against.
“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 number one concern for those against the ban was the cost of living, especially as rents and gas prices are on the rise.
The air district is sending the wrong message at this time, Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas said.
“Most Californians will not be able to afford this,” El Cerrito Mayor Gabe Quinto said.
Pittsburg Councilwoman Dionne Adams said she doesn’t like that low-income residents would be exempt, because they’d still deal with the pollution.
“The exemption that we have signals that it’s okay for the vulnerable to suffer … that they’re not worth the investment,” Adams said.
Deputy Executive Officer of Policy Greg Nudd said the ban would reduce pollution throughout the Bay Area, even in areas with more exemptions.
“It just doesn’t sit well with me,” Adams replied.
Benicia Mayor Steve Young said local officials often rail against state mandates, yet the district is considering its own unfunded mandate.
“We would be much better off if we incentivized and educated and made it as seamless as possible to make the switch,” Young said.
The air district is also working to ban buying gas space heaters on Jan. 1, 2029.
Today’s discussion comes after more than 100 residents spoke for and against the ban on May 7.
Fletcher Middle School student Sarah Seeger said she was horrified when she learned natural gas water heaters poison homes with nitrogen oxides.
“I want a clean and healthy future,” she said.
San Jose realtor Ana Maria Russo said residents should be allowed to choose.
“Yet again, the middle class gets stepped on and shoved to the side,” she said.
Be the first to comment