The Bay Area Air District is moving forward with a natural gas appliance ban set to outlaw gas water heaters by January 2027, sparking criticism from officials and residents. - The ban is seen as a regressive tax on families, especially in underserved communities.
- Mayor Mark Salinas of Hayward and others raised concerns about implementation and exemptions. - The board lacks representation from the largest Bay Area city and has no clear exemption process.
Critics call for the mandate to be stopped and replaced with an incentive-based plan.