Bay Area Air District Approves Landmark Clean Air Standards for Water Heaters

The Bay Area Air District voted today to implement the nation’s strongest clean air standards for water heaters. Starting in 2028, the standards will require installing zero-emission options like heat pumps when a water heater is replaced, with exemptions for low-income households and complicated installations.

In response, Evergreen Action Deputy Policy Director for Buildings Tony Sirna released the following statement:

“Today, the Bay Area chose clean air over fossil fuel pollution. This historic vote means millions of Bay Area residents will breathe cleaner air and pay less on their utility bills. Gas appliances are one of the biggest sources of smog in the Bay Area. Under these standards, when a household’s water heater wears out, it gets replaced with clean electric technology like a heat pump.”

“With protections for low-income households and homes that are hard to retrofit, these standards  make sure cleaner air and lower bills are within reach. The Bay Area Air District showed real leadership today. Policymakers across the country should take note and follow its lead.”

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