An unprecedented disinformation campaign from the fossil fuel industry and their allies is attempting to derail important clean air standards for residential furnaces and water heaters in Southern California.
Read CCA’s letter to the Governing Board
Opponents are trying to set this rule up to be a cautionary tale on ambitious climate policy in California right now – and we all know how badly we need state climate leadership at this moment. To regain our footing, we urgently need a strong show of public support from influential people BEFORE the board vote this Friday, June 6th.
Use the information below to draft your message and contact the Board!
What the rules actually do: Proposed rules 1111 and 1121 will cut pollution from one of largest drivers of smog in Southern California – fossil fuel heaters and water heaters – by ensuring appliance manufacturers gradually increase the sale of highly efficient heat pumps. SCAQMD estimates these rules will prevent 2,490 premature deaths and deliver $25.43 billion in health benefits over the coming decades, while ensuring Southern Californians benefit from the most energy-efficient cooling available today. Upgrading to heat pumps from gas can save a typical household in CA $370 per year under an electric-friendly rate, and up to $670 per year for those using propane or electric-resistance heating. Gas appliances in homes and buildings generate 7x more NOx in SCAQMD territory than power plants.
This rule will not ban gas-burning furnaces and water heaters – instead, it sets zero-emission sales targets for manufacturers and funds programs to help consumers switch to zero-emission units.
Proposed rules 1111 and 1121 will save lives and residents of Southern California more than $25 billion in coming years.
Disinformation campaign: Throughout the process, opponents have spread false information about the proposed rule. The Southern California News Group has run no less than 7 op-eds featuring factually inaccurate data and misrepresentations of the actual rules while refusing to print the truth. Opponents have pushed for endless delays and have set unreasonable, constantly shifting demands. South Coast AQMD can’t let these bullying tactics work – clean air, and your health, are on the line.
How You Can Help: Encourage board members to support these essential clean air protections via social media posts, emails, and calls – because in California – clean air and the rule of law still matter. Sample posts and talking points are included below:
SAMPLE EMAIL TEXT:
Subject: Vote YES on Rule 1111 and 1112 for Cleaner Air and Healthier Communities
Dear SCAQMD Board Member,
I am writing to strongly urge you to approve Rule 1111 regarding Natural Gas-Fired Furnaces and Rule 1112 regarding Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters. As a concerned resident and supporter of clean air, I believe these regulations are crucial for the health and economic well-being of our region.
Despite an unprecedented disinformation campaign by the fossil fuel industry and their allies, the data clearly demonstrates the immense benefits of these rules. According to your own Socioeconomic Impact Assessment, implementing these rules will prevent thousands of premature deaths and save billions of dollars. Approving Rule 1111 and Rule 1112 is not just an environmental imperative, but a smart investment in public health and our economy.
Please prioritize the health of our communities and vote YES to approve these vital regulations.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your City/Community]
CONTACT INFORMATION:
| Senate Rules Committee Appointee VANESSA DELGADO, CHAIR | vdelgado@aqmd.gov, shernandez@aqmd.gov |
| Cities of Los Angeles County – Eastern Region MICHAEL A. CACCIOTTI, VICE CHAIR, Councilmember, City of South Pasadena | macacciotti@yahoo.com |
| Cities of Riverside County PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON, Mayor, City of Riverside | plock-dawson@aqmd.gov |
| County of San Bernardino CURT HAGMAN, Supervisor, Fourth District | Supervisor.Hagman@bos.sbcounty.gov; Chagman1@aqmd.gov |
| Cities of San Bernardino County LARRY MCCALLON, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Highland | lmccallon@cityofhighland.org |
| County of Los Angeles HOLLY J. MITCHELL, Supervisor, Second District | hmitchell@aqmd.gov |
| County of Orange JANET NGUYEN, Supervisor, First District | Janet.nguyen@ocgov.com |
| Cities of Los Angeles County – Western Region BRENDA OLMOS | bolmos@aqmd.gov |
| Speaker of the Assembly Appointee VERONICA PADILLA-CAMPOS | vpadilla@aqmd.gov |
| County of Riverside V. MANUEL PEREZ, Supervisor, Fourth District | vmanuelperez@rivco.org |
| City of Los Angeles NITHYA RAMAN, Councilmember, 4th District | nithya.raman@lacity.org |
| Cities of Orange County CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Yorba Linda | crodriguez@yorbalindaca.gov |
