Bakersfield.com
Natural gas-fueled appliances such as water heaters and ranges may eventually become the sign of an older home as policymakers push forward with California’s ambitious plan to decarbonize the state.
The latest sign of this shift is the pressure facing the California Energy Commission to require developers of new apartments and single-family homes to install only electric home-heating systems, water heaters, ovens, dryers and stoves.
As noted in a recent report from the California Air Resources Board, there are two reasons for banning natural gas-powered appliances: It would cut the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 percent while also reducing indoor air pollution blamed for respiratory problems.
But some question the urgency of the campaign, noting natural gas is generally a less expensive way to power appliances, and that using the fuel in homes can be more reliable than switching to exclusive use of electricity, especially at a time of heightened risk of power shutoffs because of wildfires.
Still, one Valley homebuilding association executive is expecting the policy to be approved. “Given California’s orientation toward clean energy and climate change,” Dave Dmohowski, executive officer of the Homebuilders Association of Kern County said, “I think it’s probably a done deal.”
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Pappy
November 29, 2020 at 10:31 am
I believe this is a short-sighted policy. The beneficiary is the electric utility providers, not consumers or the environment. Natural gas has a minimal carbon footprint. Electric appliances do not have the same longevity. Also, i very much doubt the environmental impact of taking all the gas appliances, throwing them in a landfill, and shipping new appliances from China on a diesel freighter (every few years mind you) is environmentally responsible. Not to mention in our imminent fall power outs, nothing will work. No heat no hot water, nothing. Unless you have a generator that runs off of… Natural gas. This policy is absurd.