Santa Ana council debates resolution opposing SCAQMD appliance rules as public commenters urge caution or support

Councilmember Penalosa introduced a request asking the council to direct the city manager to bring back a resolution opposing the South Coast Air Quality Management District(SCAQMD)proposed amended rules 11-11 and 11-21, which would restrict installation of gas furnaces and gas water heaters.

The item drew extended public comment and a lengthy council discussion about potential health benefits, likely costs to homeowners and renters, and whether the city should act before SCAQMD publishes revised rule language. "These proposed rules will save lives," said David Martinez of Climate Action Campaign, arguing that the SCAQMD rules would prevent hospital visits and premature deaths. Tomas Castro, a public commenter, urged the council to reject the resolution, saying the rules would "prevent over 4,000 deaths" and that opposing them would maintain a "deadly status quo." Suman Bassin, who said she had replaced multiple gas appliances with heat-pump technology, told the council she supports the SCAQMD changes and their potential to improve indoor air and reduce greenhouse gases.

Councilmember Penalosa said he supports air quality goals but described personal barriers to immediate electrification. "By the end of it, I was looking at a $15,000 investment for a water heater replacement that broke overnight," he said, describing a recent experience at a national hardware store that led him to conclude many older Santa Ana homes lack electrical infrastructure needed to adopt heat-pump appliances without large upgrades. Several other speakers, including Peter Whittingham representing a stakeholder coalition, urged caution and asked for more detailed cost estimates; Whittingham cited a contractorestimate of "$73,000 per unit" for a 1970s-era multifamily apartment retrofit as an example of potentially high costs.

Council discussion focused on two linked questions: (1) whether the council should adopt a local resolution now and (2) whether staff can present an analysis of the rulesrevised language, timelines and available rebates before taking a formal position. Councilmembers expressed competing priorities: public health and environmental justice on one side and affordability and grid/infrastructure readiness on the other. Councilmember Fan urged the council to monitor SCAQMD's iterative rule-making and return when rule language is finalized; Councilmember Hernandez said he was not ready to support the item now and suggested bringing it back later with analysis; Councilmember Lopez emphasized the need for clarity on implementation and enforcement and asked staff to track available rebate programs and income eligibility thresholds.

There was no final council vote recorded on adopting or opposing the SCAQMD rules at this meeting. City staff and the council indicated they would continue to monitor rule development, review public incentives and impacts for Santa Ana residents, and return with a staff report and recommended resolution language once SCAQMDrule text and cost information are public. Mayor Meskweth closed debate by saying staff had clear direction to follow the rule process and report back.

What happens next: staff will monitor SCAQMD rule-making, analyze cost and rebate eligibility for Santa Ana residents and report back to the council when revised rule language and cost estimates are publicly available.