Learn about the Air District's rule amendment process seeking to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides from residential and commercial furnaces in buildings in the Bay Area through changes to Regulation 9, Rule 4.
Find out about the status and anticipated timeline of the rule development process. Information on hearings, workshops, and other events is provided below, along with supporting documents and materials.
Air District staff is currently evaluating potential amendments to Rules 9-4: Nitrogen Oxides from Fan Type Residential Central Furnaces and 9-6: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from Natural Gas-Fired Boilers and Water Heaters. These rules govern point of sale emission standards for small, typically residential and commercial, water and space heating systems. Emissions of nitrogen oxides impact local and regional air quality and contribute to the formation of ozone and secondary particulate matter.
The Air District hosted a public workshop on October 7, 2021 to discuss initial outcomes from the Building Appliance Stakeholder Working Group and first draft language of regulatory amendments. Recordings of the public workshop and subsequent updates to the Stationary Source and Climate Impacts Committee, as well as supporting documents, can be found under the 'Hearings, Workshops and Other Events' and 'Documents' sections below.
In May of 2022, the Air District released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and an Initial Study, as well as revised draft rule amendments. Note that the amendments to Rule 9-4 include updates to clarify definitions and applicability, while the amendments to Rule 9-6 are the same as the version previously released.
- Request for Comments(384 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 05/19/22)
- Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting for the Proposed Amendments to Rules 9-4 and 9-6(375 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, posted 05/19/22)
- Initial Study for the Proposed Amendments to Rules 9-4 and 9-6(1 Mb PDF, 74 pgs, posted 05/19/22)
- Draft Amendments to Rule 9-4 (May 2022)(643 Kb PDF, 4 pgs, posted 05/19/22)
- Draft Amendments to Rule 9-6 (May 2022)(434 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, posted 05/19/22)
Staff will conduct a public scoping meeting to inform the public about the project and to provide agencies and the public with an opportunity to provide comments on the scope and content of the EIR. The public scoping meeting will be held virtually on June 9th, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 PM. Find the link and other information on how to join in the 'Hearings, Workshops and Other Events' table below.
Written and/or email comments on the Initial Study and revised draft amendments must be received by 5:00 PM on June 21, 2022 and may be submitted to:
Jennifer Elwell
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
375 Beale Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
Or by email to
Hearings, Workshops and Other Events
Throughout the rule development process, we provide information on upcoming and past workshops, hearings, and other events.
Documents
Supporting materials, such as staff reports, regulatory language, and other technical documents related to rule development, are posted throughout the development process.
Comments
The Air District provides opportunities for the public to submit comments throughout the development process, and posts comments received during the open public comment periods.
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