California to Ban Natural Gas-Powered Home Appliances

California regulators unanimously approved a proposal on Thursday to ban the sale of natural gas-powered heaters and furnaces in homes by 2030 to further crack down on fossil fuels and further the state’s aggressive climate agenda.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) committed to mandating new zero-emissions standards for household appliances during a Thursday meeting and would require 100% of new space heaters and water heaters sold in the state to be free of fossil-fuel emissions after 2030, according to CARB’s proposal. The ban aims to significantly cut carbon emissions from households and businesses as buildings contribute to about 25% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the regulators.

Some parties will be required to retrofit their buildings with electric heat pumps to replace gas-fueled heaters and furnaces, according to CARB. However, the state will not force all individuals and businesses to immediately retrofit or replace their systems.