"The first-in-the-nation regulation, passed last year, will cut NOx emissions from more than 1 million boilers and water heaters in the smoggy Los Angeles area." 

"Southern California can keep a landmark rule that’s meant to spur the electrification of certain boilers and water heaters across the smog-choked region.

Late last week, a federal court upheld the first-in-the-nation regulation, which will gradually eliminate emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from more than 1 million fossil-gas appliances in the South Coast Air Quality Management District that covers greater Los Angeles. It applies to light-industrial and commercial boilers, steam generators, and process heaters, as well as residential pool heaters and tankless water heaters.

Opponents of the rule, led by gas-appliance makers and building trade groups, had sued in December to invalidate the standards.

“This decision recognizes our air regulators’ long-established authority to adopt life-saving protections — and sends an undeniable signal to manufacturers and businesses that the future of California’s industrial sector is electric,” Candice Youngblood, an attorney for Earthjustice, which intervened to defend the rule in court, said in a July 21 statement."

Maria Gallucci reports for Canary Media July 23, 2025. [2]