Redlands City Council to oppose proposed air quality rules citing cost, resident concerns

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands City Council voted to authorize the mayor to sign a letter opposing two proposed regulations from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) that aim to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from some residential gas appliances during the May 20 council meeting.

Why it matters: If adopted, the amended rules would require all new and replacement residential gas appliances to meet a zero-NOx emission standard starting in 2027 for new construction and 2029 for existing homes. Exceptions for mobile homes have been included, and manufacturers may temporarily comply through mitigation fees under an “alternative compliance” option starting in 2027.

Details: The recommendation to formally object to Proposed Amended Rule 1111, which targets gas-fired furnaces, and Proposed Amended Rule 1121, which regulates residential-type gas-fired water heaters, was recommended by Mayor Pro Tempore Marc Shaw. The measures are part of SCAQMD’s broader plan to achieve a 67% reduction in NOx emissions by 2037, in alignment with federal clean air standards.

Council members expressed concern over the potential financial burden to residents, noting that the SCAQMD’s own estimates show that replacing furnaces could cost up to $21,500 per unit if electrical upgrades are necessary. Water heater replacements are projected to cost between $5,200 and $8,200.

Although SCAQMD has proposed a $21 million "Go Zero" incentive program to help offset conversion costs for residents, businesses and installers, the rebates—ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per unit—may not fully cover the cost of compliance. Final details of the incentive program have yet to be approved.

What they’re saying: Prior to the vote, residents shared their concerns, revealing a split in public opinion. 

“Even with the latest modifications of these proposed rules, these rules are very financially restrictive for homeowners and businesses,” said resident Dale Broome.

“The rebates are a scam because where does the money for the rebates come from? It comes from us, either in utility fees, utility bills, or in taxes,” resident Gregory Brittain said.

Multiple speakers, however, argued that the cost of switching the appliances, especially with the rebates offered, will never compare to the cost of the healthcare required to address impacts of emissions and climate change.

“This is about doing the right thing to protect people's health,” said resident Aura Vasquez. “If you choose to stay with your gas appliance and kill your family, that's on you. But this board has the responsibility to protect the health of not just your city residents, but also the South Coast AQMD residents as a whole. So I urge you, I beg you to take this very seriously and to think about the many people that rely on you.” 

Jennifer Cardenas, a campaign organizer with the Sierra Club pointed out that harmful emissions are linked to more emergency room visits, hospitalizations due to heart attacks, asthma, decreased lung function, restrictive airways, premature deaths, cancer, stroke, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

“We should not say that the cost of an appliance is worth more than the cost of a life,” Cardenas said. “There's one thing that you can do, and that is replace an appliance. You can't replace a life.” 

Source of emissions in Redlands: The city's draft Climate Action Plan 2050 outlines Redlands' annual green house gas emissions, totaling 554,413 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), and breaks them down by sector.

Using 2022 as the baseline year, the report found that Built Environment, which includes electricity and natural gas usage from residential, commercial, industrial buildings, as well as public lighting, accounts for about 30% of total emissions. Within that, natural gas usage alone in homes contributes about 10% to city-wide emissions.

The transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 66% of the total.

Zoom out: Tuesday’s vote follows similar moves by other Southern California cities including Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Corona, Temecula, Chino and Upland. The San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG), of which Redlands is a member, also formally opposed the proposed amendments in January through Resolution No. 25-059.

The Redlands Chamber of Commerce’s Government Review Committee joined the opposition in April, aligning with the Cost of Living Council in denouncing the proposed rules.

The decision: Council voted to have Mayor Mario Saucedo sign the letter and oppose the regulations. The lone dissenter was Council Member Denise Davis. 

“I can't understand why we'd be opposed to these rules that are important milestones on the path towards greater environmental and health improvements. I really can't,” said Davis. “We owe it to our community to keep moving forward on our climate action goals, especially as we are on the heels of approving our updated climate action plan next month. Sending this letter would send a terrible message and a confusing message to our community.”

Moving forward: The SCAQMD is expected to release updates to the proposed regulations in early April. If approved, the mandates would begin phasing in as early as January 1, 2027.