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Climate group asks Larkspur council to back Bay Area 'Zero‑NOx' water‑heater rule
Summary
A local climate group urged the council to place a resolution supporting timely implementation of the Bay Area Air District's Zero‑NOx rule for new water heaters; council said the request would be explored by the climate action forum and staff.
A representative of the Larkspur Climate Group asked the City Council on Sept. 17 to place a resolution on the next agenda supporting timely implementation of the Bay Area Air District’s Zero‑NOx rule for new water heaters.
David Mhler, speaking for roughly 36 members of the group, said the rule — adopted by the air district in 2023 — aims to reduce nitrogen‑oxide emissions produced by burning natural gas in buildings, and that local resolutions ahead of key air district meetings can increase the rule’s impact. "This rule is a big deal," Mhler said, adding that NOx "is the primary component of smog," and that many jurisdictions are submitting supportive resolutions.
Assistant City Manager Shannon O’Hare and Council climate liaison Margaliss gave a short forum update noting recent forum work on CalGreen tier‑1 code adoption, electrification of city fleets, and a planned Oct. 8 forum meeting to refine 2030 priorities. Council members asked whether the forum could look at the request; Margaliss said staff and the forum could explore the resolution and review a draft that Mhler offered to submit.
No formal council action was taken; council directed staff and the climate forum to review the draft resolution and return with recommendations about adding it to a future agenda.
Why it matters: the request links a local council decision to a regional air‑quality regulation that affects building equipment specifications; supporting resolutions are frequently used to signal municipal positions during rule implementation periods.
