Comment Log Display

Comment Log Display

Below is the comment you selected to display.
Comment 4 for Informal Public Comments on the Draft 2022 State SIP Strategy (draft2022statesip-ws) - 1st Workshop.


First Name: Laura
Last Name: Malchow-Hay
Email Address: lauramalch@aol.com
Affiliation: SF/Bay Area Sierra Club

Subject: Support strong equitable building decarbonization!
Comment:
Dear CA Air Resource Board members,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2022 State
Implementation Plan. I am excited to hear about the proposal for
zero-GHG emission space and water heaters. 

As an asthma sufferer, I am concerned about the health risks
associated with gas burning appliances. Burning gas in our homes
releases dangerous toxins such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon
monoxide, and ultrafine particles that impact our hearts and lungs.
Health studies from Johns Hopkins and other researchers have found
strong links between homes with gas stoves and childhood asthma. By
moving to all-electric construction, it will decrease the instances
of asthma for children, and Californians will have healthier lives.


As you know, there are substantial health benefits to removing
natural gas from homes and businesses. Gas stoves fill homes with
many of the same pollutants contained in car exhaust, leading to
air pollution levels in many homes that would be illegal if
measured outside. Children are particularly at risk. Kids living in
a home with a gas stove are 42% more likely to have asthma, a
dangerous health condition that costs Californians more than $11
billion annually.

Gas appliances release harmful pollutants like NOx that endangers
human health and the environment. All major gas appliances in our
homes have zero-emission counterparts on the market: heat pump
water heaters, air source heat pumps, induction cooktops, and
electric dryers. Replacing gas furnaces with electric heat pumps
also adds air conditioning, since heat pumps can both heat and cool
buildings. Upgrading homes with air conditioning (which cools and
filters air) helps protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat
events and poor air quality during wildfire season. I recognize
that this transition will be complicated and ask that we plan for
an equitable, affordable transition to zero-GHG emission
appliances.

Finally, there are important climate benefits to moving away from
natural gas. California's homes and buildings are responsible for
more than a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. The
latest studies show that building electrification can reduce those
emissions up to 90% by 2050. Every time a new home is connected to
the gas system, we are expanding the use of gas--a move that is
incompatible with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,
according to a landmark study from the United Nations. To avoid the
most catastrophic consequences of climate change, it is necessary
to phase out gas in new construction nationwide.

Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,
Laura Malchow-Hay





Attachment:

Original File Name:

Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2022-02-23 18:21:01



If you have any questions or comments please contact Office of the Ombudsman at (916) 327-1266.


Board Comments Home

preload