San Francisco latest Democratic city to crack down on gas appliances 

Local officials in San Francisco plan to phase out all-natural gas-powered appliances by 2027, as part of the Democratic-led city’s climate agenda, regulators announced on Wednesday evening. 

The Bay Area Quality Management District, which oversees air pollution and emissions regulations for the Bay area, voted on Wednesday to adopt rules that would eliminate nitrogen oxide emissions from natural gas furnaces and water heaters in the region. 

The transition would require water heaters in single-family homes to transition to electric by 2027, furnaces in 2029, and multifamily and commercial water heaters by 2031.

The new rules do not apply to cooking appliances such as gas stoves. 

"The 1.8 million water heaters and furnaces in the Bay Area significantly impact our air quality, resulting in dozens of early deaths and a wide range of health impacts, particularly in communities of color," Dr. Philip Fine, the executive officer of the Air District, said Wednesday in a statement.

"This groundbreaking regulation will phase out the most polluting appliances in homes and businesses to protect Bay Area residents from the harmful air pollution they cause."

“The rule amendments will improve overall regional air quality from the outdoor venting of these appliances, lower exposure to particulate matter, particularly in communities of color, and avoid up to $890 million per year in health impacts due to air pollution exposure,” the agency said in a statement.

Over the past two years, other Democratic-led cities have also moved forward with plans restricting gas appliances, including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, and New York City.