SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: May 11, 2026
Subject: RECEIVE UPDATE on Regional Collaboration on Implementation of Bay Area Air District Appliance Regulations
Submitted For: John Kopchik || Director | DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Department: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Presenter: Nik Kaestner || Sr. Building Decarbonization Coordinator | SF DEPT. OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Contact: Jody London | (925) 655-2815
Referral History:
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (2024) establishes ambitious goals for homes, workplaces, and businesses in unincorporated Contra Costa County to run efficiently on clean energy. The estimated reductions in greenhouse gas pollution for the built environment include anticipated emission reductions from Bay Area Air District regulations on new water heaters and furnaces that are expected to go into effect in 2027 and 2029 (Rule 9-6).
Rule 9-6 was adopted in 2023. It requires residential water heaters (less than 75,000 BTU/hour) installed after January 1, 2027, to meet efficiency standards such that they do not emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx). This will likely mean installing heat pump water heaters instead of water heaters that run on gas. Rule 9-6 requires residential and commercial furnaces installed after January 1, 2029, to also meet zero-NOx standards, again likely by installing electric heat pumps that provide both heat and air conditioning. Eliminating NOx from gas use in homes by installing heat pump furnaces and water heaters is expected to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, prevent premature deaths, and save close to $900 million in health impacts.
At its March 9, 2026, the Sustainability Committee received a report on currently available options to help County residents and businesses purchase and install compliant equipment as the new requirements go into effect. Since that meeting, County staff have begun participating in a regional collaboration to educate community members about the upcoming changes.
Referral Update:
Local government staff, regional agency staff, community choice aggregators, energy services providers, PG&E, community group staff, and other interested people around the Bay Area are collaborating through an informal group called the “Sprint to 9-6.” This group is jointly developing messages, printed and online materials, presentations, strategies for joint procurement, resources to educate and train contractors, funding opportunities, and related activities. The goal is to leverage the resources, talent, and experience in the region rather than each organization/local government doing this alone.
The San Francisco Department of the Environment helps organize this work, in partnership with Bay Area Air District staff and staff from the San Mateo County Sustainability Department. Nik Kaestner, Senior Building Decarbonization Coordinator with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, will provide more information. The attached presentation has more details.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE UPDATE on Regional Collaboration on Implementation of Bay Area Air District Appliance Regulations.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
At this time, there is no direct fiscal impact because the only costs incurred are County staff time, which has already been accounted for. It is possible that going forward, the County may be asked to contribute funds to support the development of materials and/or implementation of public education campaigns.