The San Francisco Bay Area has banned gas stoves and some other gas-powered appliances. George Frey—Bloomberg/Getty Images
San Francisco Bay Area regulators on Wednesday approved a de facto ban on new residential furnaces and water heaters that run on natural gas — but not gas-fired stoves — as states, cities and political parties debate the future of the fuel fight.
The region’s air pollution authorities overwhelmingly approved the ban, which would come into effect in stages from 2027 to 2031, depending on the size and type of equipment. Notably, the measure does not target gas stoves, which have emerged as a cultural hotspot in the debate about phasing out fossil fuels at home.
The gas industry and many Republicans say gas bans increase costs for homeowners while violating their right to heat their homes and cook as they please. Climate activists believe replacing gas appliances with electric ones is a necessary step in the fight against climate change, and see the Bay Area’s new rules as a way to do it.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulations focus on stoves and water heaters and the air pollution they produce, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx, produced when gas is burned, is part of smog and can aggravate asthma and cardiovascular problems. The district estimates that gas stoves and water heaters generate more NOx than all the cars in the region each year. Water heaters and furnaces sold in the Bay Area are not required to emit NOx by the implementation date, effectively forcing homeowners to purchase electric heaters or heat pumps.
The requirement has raised concerns among some residents that in the event of a sudden failure of their water heaters or furnaces, they will be forced to pay more for an electrical replacement – as long as they can find one readily available. District Executive Ray Mueller said that while he supports the idea, the requirement could put a strain on homeowners, especially if the switch to electrical appliances is forcing them to upgrade their home’s electrical panel and wiring.
“Frankly, what I think is missing from this discussion is that there’s a middle class out there that’s really doing badly,” said Mueller, a San Mateo borough chairperson who is involved in voting on the measure voice contained.
However, most board members said that by setting the requirement years in the future, the district would send a clear signal to the market to offer more models with heat pumps and electric water heaters, thereby lowering the price. The measure also provides that two years before the first implementation deadline, the members of the Management Board can take another look at the market conditions and adjust them if necessary.
“Necessity breeds invention, so we create necessity and the market will respond to that,” said Board Member Juan Gonzalez, Mayor of the City of San Leandro.
Even if the measure is implemented, many gas furnaces and water heaters in the Bay Area will remain operational for decades to come, said Leah Louis-Prescott of RMI’s climate and energy think tank. Homeowners will still be able to fix their old gas appliances after 2031.
“It ensures the consumer is buying a cleaner device and avoids decades of pollution,” said Louis-Prescott, who is part of RMI’s zero-carbon building team. “It’s not so much a ban as it is a phasing out if your devices break.”
The gas debate has raged for years in the Bay Area, home to more than 7 million people. Berkeley officials in 2019 passed the country’s first regulation banning gas hookups in new buildings. San Francisco and other cities across the country followed suit, with New York City enacting its own ban in 2021 and Gov. Kathy Hochul calling for a statewide version this year. The gas industry and its political allies have pushed back: At least 20 states have enacted laws preventing their cities from blocking use of the fuel.
