HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence Item 22
Flores, Dora
From:Ayn Craciun <ayn@climateactioncampaign.org>
Sent:Monday, June 16, 2025 4:41 PM
To:eComment; Penaloza, David; Phan, Thai; Bacerra, Phil; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez,
Jessie; Hernandez, Johnathan; Saba, Nabil; Amezcua, Valerie
Subject:OPPOSE Agenda Item #22 a Resolution Opposing Clean Air for Santa Ana
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
June 16, 2025
Santa Ana City Council
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
eComment@santa-ana.org
RE: OPPOSE Agenda Item #22 a Resolution Opposing Clean Air for Santa Ana
Members of the Santa Ana City Council,
On behalf of Climate Action Campaign and thousands of Santa Ana children and families who, according to the
American Lung Association, have suffered with the worst air pollution in the nation for decades, I urge you to
vote NO on agenda item 22. This item would have the council oppose clean air for residents – a reversal of
the city’s commitments to environmental justice embedded in its General Plan.
One of the largest sources of ozone pollution in Santa Ana is fossil fuel appliances in homes, which would
have been significantly reduced by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rules 1111 and
1121. These rules would regulate gas furnaces and water heaters—some of the largest sources of nitrogen
oxide (NOx) pollution in Southern California homes—and represent a vital public health intervention to reduce
asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses, while also saving low income families thousands of
dollars on installation costs and monthly energy bills.
Sadly, on June 6, 2025, SCAQMD voted against adopting these rules, the result of a concerted misinformation
campaign led by the gas industry to preserve its monopoly profits and delay action on life-saving air quality
improvements.
Despite this vote, the facts remain clear: Santa Ana communities would disproportionately benefit from
policies like Rules 1111 and 1121. The city ranks among the most pollution-burdened in the South Coast
region, according to CalEnviroScreen, and Santa Ana residents shoulder an outsized share of the health
impacts—and millions in healthcare costs—caused by gas appliances.
There’s another critical reason to support this transition: households that remain on the gas system will
face rising utility bills as more residents switch to all-electric appliances. A 2024 study projects that gas
infrastructure costs will increasingly be borne by a shrinking customer base, resulting in natural gas bills rising
by up to 46% over the next 15 years for those who do not transition.
Also, California’s Equitable Building Decarbonization Program will fully fund the replacement of gas
appliances for low-income Santa Ana households, helping families transition off the polluting gas system at
no cost, while improving indoor air quality and reducing monthly utility bills. That program is set to launch in
Santa Ana this year.
1
We urge the Council not to add to the health, environmental justice and climate inequities borne by Santa Ana
families. Rather than opposing policies designed to clean the air and protect public health, the council should
focus on ensuring access to state and federal incentives and programs that make this transition affordable for
all—especially those who’ve borne the brunt of pollution for generations.
Given the flaws, outdated claims, and long-term economic risks embedded in this resolution, Climate Action
Campaign respectfully urges you to vote NO on Item 22.
Sincerely,
Ayn Craciun
OC Policy Director
Climate Action Campaign
--
Ayn Craciun
Director of Policy, Orange County
Climate Action Campaign
949-400-9682
Schedule a meeting with me at https://calendly.com/aync
Like what we do? Support Climate Action Campaign today.
Our mission is simple: create a zero carbon future through effective and equitable policy action
2
Zuniga, Diana
From: Gregory Tabat <
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 12:57 PM
To: Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil;
Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David; eComment
Subject: NO on agenda Item 22: Oppose Gas Industry Resolution
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Mayor Amezcua and Councilmembers,
I'm one of your constituents. I'm asking you to pay attention to what really matters-the health and welfare of our
Santa Anans. Economic concerns are paired with health concerns. If it's a choice, health must be the priority because
what good is a "solid economy" if you don't have the health to enjoy it?
Please oppose Agenda Item 22. Santa Ana's air quality ranks among the worst in the United States—and our children are
paying the price. Alongside Los Angeles and Long Beach, our region consistently ranks worst in the nation for ozone
pollution, according to the American Lung Association, which gives us a failing grade year after year. Gas appliances in
homes and buildings generate 7x more lung-damaging pollution in Santa Ana than power plants. By phasing out gas
appliances such as furnaces and water heaters, we can reduce residents' exposure to toxic pollution that results in
asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
SCAQMD estimates these rules will prevent 2,490 premature deaths and deliver$25.43 billion in health benefits and
savings over the coming decades,while ensuring Southern Californians benefit from the most energy-efficient cooling
available. Upgrading to heat pumps from gas can save a typical household in CA$370 per year. Electric appliances are a
public health benefit necessity that is more within reach than ever.
Thank you,
Gregory Tabat
Riverview West
1