SoCal Air Quality Rules Weakened: A Blow to Clean Energy Ambitions?

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) aimed to significantly reduce air pollution from gas appliances with a new regulation. However, this initially ambitious plan, targeting 90% zero-emission appliance sales by 2036, has been significantly weakened due to lobbying pressure. The revised rules feature slower targets and reduced penalties for non-compliance, raising concerns from environmental advocates that progress on air quality will be slowed and that it could negatively impact similar policies elsewhere. Despite this, support remains for strengthening the rules to achieve greater emission reductions.