California officials advanced a proposal to require zero-emission space and water heaters, a move that could lead to an effective ban of new natural gas in heaters for commercial and residential buildings in the state.
The California Air Resources Board voted on Sept. 22 to adopt the 2022 state implementation plan, which is aimed at cutting emissions to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone. Under one included provision, all new space and water heaters sold in California for new construction or building retrofits would need to meet a zero-emission standard beginning in 2030.