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La Verne passes resolution opposing proposed AQMD electrification rules, council cites grid and cost concerns
Summary
The City Council voted 4-0 (one member absent) to send a resolution opposing proposed South Coast AQMD rules that would require residential and business water heaters and furnaces to be all-electric, citing recent outages, grid capacity concerns and potential costs to residents for panel upgrades and new appliances.
La Verne's City Council on Feb. 3 voted to oppose draft South Coast Air Quality Management District rules that would require residential and some commercial appliances to be all-electric, saying the proposals risk unintended consequences for residents who lack electrical capacity or resources for upgrades.
City Manager Domer summarized the city's concerns, telling the council the AQMD had delayed its rulemaking to May or June after receiving widespread opposition. Domer said that after recent power outages, gas appliances provided needed resilience: "after our last power outages the only thing we had that worked was gas," he said, adding that the city and regional partners had engaged AQMD in discussions.
Domer and several council members said mandatory electrification could force costly electrical-panel upgrades and disproportionately affect lower-income households. One council speaker cited an estimated $3,000 to $5,000 cost to upgrade panels and said electric appliances themselves can be more expensive.
Members of the public urged a phased approach tied to natural replacement cycles and noted that solar-plus-battery systems can reduce reliance on the grid for some residents. A public commenter also asked whether the California Independent System Operator had been consulted about grid adequacy.
Council Member Johnson said residents should retain choice: "residents should be able to decide if they want an electric ... stove top that's fine if they want a gas stove top that should be their choice," Johnson said in the discussion. The council moved and approved the resolution opposing the AQMD rules by a 4-0 vote with Council Member Crosby absent.
The resolution directs staff to send a letter of opposition and to continue coordinating with regional partners and utilities; council members said they expected continued conversation with regional agencies and utility providers before any state or regional rules take effect.
