South Coast AQMD Governing Board Rejects PAR 1111 & 1121
On Friday afternoon, June 6, following nearly 4 hours of public testimony, the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board voted 7-5 to reject Proposed Amended Rules (PAR) 1111 and 1121, which would have imposed a defacto tax adding billions of dollars to the future cost of gas water heaters and furnaces for single, multifamily and commercial building and business owners. This landmark vote by the board was the first rejection of a major staff recommended regulation in 25-years.
AAOC members and other rental housing providers and organizations joined with more than 100 social justice groups, affordable housing groups, small businesses, state and local elected officials, and residents to deliver public comments urging the Board to reject these costly regulations. This followed the submission of more than 26,000 opposition letters and emails in the months leading up to the vote.
“These regulations would have added billions of dollars in increased costs, reduced consumer choice, and forced many households to bear the financial burden of replacing essential appliances such as gas water heaters and furnaces while adding a punitive new fee regime,” said Yorba Linda City Councilmember and AQMD Governing Board Member Carlos Rodriguez. “In a time when families across California are already struggling with high housing, energy, and living costs, we must remain vigilant in protecting our freedom of choice and financial stability.”
AAOC thanks its Orange and Riverside County governing board representatives, Yorba Linda City Councilmember Carlos Rodriquez, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, and Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez for their leadership and their votes opposing PAR 1111 & 1121. Also deserving thanks is Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner who sounded the alarm about this proposal last year while serving on the AQMD governing board and who was instrumental in the education and engagement of homeowners and businesses in Orange County through the process.
Additionally, AAOC thanks the three other local elected officials who voted “No” on the proposed amended rules: Highland Mayor Larry McCallon, Paramount Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos, and San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman.
Finally, AAOC thanks its members who submitted opposition letters and emails over the past few months and those who gave of their time on Friday to provide public comment during the meeting. Your engagement made a difference and demonstrated what is possible when our industry engages and works with other like-minded groups and individuals to deliver a strong, unified, and resounding message to our public policymakers.