Picture your children stepping outside in ten years and breathing in truly clean, safe air—or instead facing more days when smog puts their health at risk. The future of our air is being shaped right now, and your voice plays a vital role.

In 2023, the Bay Area Air District (BAAD) made an important move to cut fossil fuel pollution and keep our air clean. The goal was to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) (a main ingredient of smog and an asthma trigger), from gas-powered appliances like water heaters and furnaces.

BAAD’s rules 9-4 and 9-6 set limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from these appliances. Beginning in January next year, any new water heater sold in the Bay Area must meet zero-NOx standards. New furnaces will need to meet these standards starting in 2029, still three years away.

These rule changes are important because, according to the California Air Resources Board, “Direct pollution from space and water heaters causes about 10% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 8% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in California.” The potential benefits to our health and pocketbooks in achieving these reductions are enormous.

But some folks are proposing exemptions to these rules before they even go into effect. Some of those exemptions are good. We endorse them. Others? Not so much.

Exemptions to the Rules: Who Wants Them and Why?

As the deadlines approach, discussions are underway to add exemptions to rules 9-4 and 9-6 to support low-income households facing challenges, while keeping the deadlines in place. The Bay Area Clean Air (BACA) coalition, including 350 Contra Costa Action, backs exemptions that help such individuals manage the cost of replacing appliances.

At the same time, it is important to be aware of arguments from the gas industry and its allies, seeking exemptions that would delay, roll back, or eliminate these rules altogether. One common claim is that switching to electric appliances is too expensive. We found that to be false.

Projected Homeowner Savings Over 10 Years

In reality, according to Rewiring America, the average homeowner can save between $3,700 and $10,000 over 10 years by replacing a gas furnace or other inefficient system with a heat pump instead of a traditional gas unit, thanks to lower energy bills and available rebates. Rewiring America says:

The average household in the United States can save $370 per year by switching to a heat pump. Homeowners switching from inefficient systems that run on fuel oil, propane, or traditional electric resistance (like baseboard heat or electric furnaces) can save closer to $1,000 per year.

Another claim you may hear is that electric appliances don’t work well. 

What Do Homeowners Say about Heat Pumps after Installation?

More and more homes and buildings in the Bay Area are switching to electric appliances, like heat pump water heaters and heat pumps for heating and cooling, without problems.

According to Canary Media, in 2024 heat pumps sold more in the U.S. than gas furnaces by a record margin. To give you an idea of just how big this shift is, homeowners and businesses purchased more than a million more heat pumps than gas furnaces. That’s enough heat pumps to heat and cool all the 400,000 residential homes and apartments in Contra Costa County two and a half times!

This trend shows how people are moving towards more energy-efficient heating and cooling options.

Were the homeowners glad they bought heat pumps instead of outdated fossil fuel furnaces and ACs? You betcha.

Mitsubishi Electric says that nine out of ten heat pump owners surveyed would recommend heat pump technology. Reasons cited for their recommendation:

• More energy efficient
• Better heating
• Saved money

If you want to learn more about heat pumps and their benefits, check out Make the Switch to Heat Pumps—Here’s Why.

Common-Sense Exemptions = Dollars Saved, Health Saved, Timeline SAVED

Asking BAAD for fair and compassionate exemptions shouldn’t be a reason to delay cleaner air. We’ve already waited three years for these rules to start. The gas industry and its supporters are trying to use these relief measures to weaken the clean-air rules, but with facts and community support, we can stay focused on protecting everyone’s health.

And remember, every dollar saved through rebates and incentives is a dollar invested in cleaner air for your family, so the savings show up on both your utility bill and your child’s lungs.

We Need Your Help to Protect Clean Air

To help the Bay Area move toward cleaner air for everyone, it’s important to support reasonable exceptions to these rules while ensuring their main goal of reducing harmful air and climate pollution remains strong.

From Richmond to Antioch in Contra Costa County, by protecting the health of children, our elders, and vulnerable neighbors, we strengthen our sense of shared responsibility for one another.

When we speak up together, we show that we care about protecting our families, especially our children and those most at risk from air pollution. Choosing cleaner air is something we all share.

It keeps our neighborhoods safer, supports the health of future generations, and shows our commitment to one another.

So what do you need to know to speak up in support of upholding the Zero NOx rules while allowing for common-sense, compassionate exemptions?

Understanding the Zero NOx Rules

What do the zero NOx rules mean?

The Zero NOx rules are straightforward. When your water heater or furnace breaks down, and you buy a replacement, it must be electric. Until your current unit stops working, you don’t need to do anything. Remember, there is no need to remove or replace any equipment that is still working. Only when your current water heater or furnace fails will you need to take action.

Who will the rules affect, and when?

• Homeowners and small businesses replacing worn-out water heaters, beginning January 2027
• Homeowners and small businesses replacing worn-out furnaces, beginning January 2029
• Companies replacing large-scale commercial water heaters, beginning January 2031

Are there support programs or incentives? 

Yes. The Switch is On organization offers a full list of incentives and rebates for homeowners, multi-family building owners, and others. We’ve listed those that apply to homeowners and small businesses in Contra Costa County. Keep in mind that some restrictions may apply, so be sure to check the details.

Rebates Available

• PG&E Customers save $400 per 45-55 gallon unit: Golden State rebate on heat pump water heater
• PG&E Customers save $400-$700 per 45-80 gallon unit: Golden State rebate on heat pump water heater
• California Energy Smart Homes: Save $6,500 per housing unit – Rebate on Whole Home – Single Family
• City of Pinole: Save Up to $3,000 – Rebate on Heat Pump Water Heater

Emergency Water Heater Loaner

MCE Emergency Water Heater Loaner Incentive

Financing Opportunities

Go Green Financing may cover up to 100% of the cost for energy upgrades.

To ensure these incentives continue to be available, we need to ensure the rules go into effect as scheduled. The BAAD board needs to hear from us. Here’s how.

Easy Steps to Make Your Voice Heard

Start with a simple step: Will you pledge your support for clean air in the Bay Area? Just saying “Yes, I support clean air” is an important first action you can take. This easy commitment helps build a stronger community of people who care about our health and environment.

Protecting clean air in our communities is easier than you might think. Start with a simple action and, as you do more, your impact grows. Here’s how you can get involved. Choose one step or try them all:

Step 1: Send a Two-Minute Letter

Send a brief email or letter to your Contra Costa County Air District Board members. Every message matters. Not sure what to write? Here are some ideas to help personalize your message:

Consider including a short story or specific example from your own experience. Here are a few questions to get you started:

• How has air pollution or wildfire smoke affected your health or your family’s health?
• What does clean air mean to you and your community?
• How would better air quality improve your day-to-day life?

These personal touches help local officials understand why clean air matters to you. You can also ask them to support fair adjustments to the rules that give breathing room to hardworking neighbors on tight budgets. That includes providing exemptions and relief for homeowners who would struggle with the costs of switching to electric appliances.

Step 2: Learn more and Speak Up at Community Meetings or Webinars

Take it a step further: 

• Attend a March 3 Sierra Club webinar to learn how to make an effective public comment at the upcoming Air District Board meeting. If you miss it, and it’s recorded, we’ll put a link to the recording here.
• Speak during the public comment portion of BAAD Board meetings. Simply showing up helps demonstrate broad community support for clean air. Learn about the next BAAD Board meeting and download the agenda here.

Your participation matters more than you might think: Just one email, comment, or presence in the room can help tip the scales, so every voice counts.

Step 3: Share with Friends and Neighbors

Share what you’ve learned about the clean air rules with your friends and neighbors. You can forward this page in an email, post it on social media, or start a conversation. The more people who speak up, the stronger our community will be.

No matter how you begin, your efforts make a difference. By working together, we can protect clean air and support our communities.