Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s Statement on AQMD Ruling on Regulations to Reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions from Space and Water Heater Appliances

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell who also serves as on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Board of Directors, shared the following statement in response to the AQMD vote on air quality regulations aimed at holding manufactures accountable in helping to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from space and water heater appliances:

“Today at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, we had the opportunity to pass life-saving legislation that would have significantly reduced air pollution from home appliances sold in our region. I’m deeply disappointed in the outcome of today’s vote. I believe we missed a key opportunity to improve health, reduce medical expenses, and fulfill our job of bringing our region into compliance with the Clean Air Act.

Had Rules 1111 and 1121 passed, they would have aligned our region with others across the country that are adopting clean energy standards and phasing out polluting gas appliances—while also helping to improve health outcomes and our environment. Unfortunately, our board voted the measure down, despite the proposal already being heavily weakened by industry lobbying.

In Los Angeles County alone, over two thousand people die each year from air pollution — nearly four times the number of traffic fatalities. Many more residents – especially in my district – suffer asthma and life-altering respiratory illnesses. These statistics underscore why I will continue to fight for strong protections and accountability to reduce harmful emissions that have been well documented. We must do what we can, as quickly as we can, to attain the standards required by the Clean Air Act, to avoid federal penalties, and do what’s in the best interest of public health.”