Published: October 06, 2026
Public Comment Period Open for Water Heater Ban
Public Comment Period Closes November 1 at 6 PM
On November 4, 2026, the Bay Area Air District Board of Directors will consider changes to Rule 9-6 (mandated ban) for water heaters. The changes being considered would, if approved, provide for some exemptions to the zero-nitrogen oxides standard and could delay the compliance date one year, to January 1, 2028. The public comment period will close on November 1 at 6 PM. SAMCAR members and San Mateo County homeowners are encouraged to provide online comments that must be submitted through the Air District's public comment tool to be considered. (Under Air District policy, they will not consider comments on regulations that are submitted by email.) SAMCAR supports de-carbonization of homes, but that the policy should be voluntary. SAMCAR has long opposed the mandates on gas water heaters and furnaces bans, citing lack of public outreach, PG&E grid reliability challenges, Bay Area older homes, socio economic impacts, impacts to seniors, and possible high costs for homeowners to electrify their homes. Please get your comments in ahead of the Bay Area Air District's Board of Directors meeting on November 4.