Amendments to Rule 9-4 and Rule 9-6

Amendments to Rule 9-4 and Rule 9-6

BAAQMD is proposing amendments to Regulation 9: Inorganic Gaseous Pollutants, Rule 4: Nitrogen Oxides from Fan Type Residential Central Furnaces (Rule 9-4) and Regulation 9: Inorganic Gaseous Pollutants, Rule 6: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from Natural Gas-Fired Boilers and Water Heaters (Rule 9-6). Rule 9-4 applies to the natural gas-fired space-heating furnaces commonly found in single-family homes, and Rule 9-6 applies to natural gas-fired water heaters commonly found in residential and commercial applications. Space- and water-heating appliances generate a large portion of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from sources in the Bay Area. NOX is formed during natural gas combustion when ambient nitrogen and oxygen combine at high temperatures. The proposed amendments would substantially reduce NOX emissions from these appliances. In accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to study the potential impacts of proposed Amendments to Rules 9-4 and 9-6 (Project). The purpose of this Notice of Preparation (NOP) and attached Initial Study is to provide an opportunity for the public, interested parties and public agencies to comment on the scope and proposed content of the EIR. This NOP (and attached Initial Study) initiates the CEQA scoping process. The BAAQMD will be the lead agency for preparation of the EIR. Documents related to this Project will be available for review on the BAAQMD’s website at: https://www.baaqmd.gov/ruledev.

Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma

San Francisco Bay Area

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Delta Region 3 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marin Region 7 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 4 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region 2 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)

Other (regulatory development)

regulatory development

Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Utilities/Service Systems