Sign the petition to the EPA: Set pollution limits for space & water heaters

Pollution from buildings hit a record high in 2022, contributing to 9% of direct greenhouse gas emissions. Residential and commercial heating appliances are a significant source of these pollutants that directly harm human health when inhaled.

Last year, we joined 25 other organizations to formally petition the EPA to regulate outdoor air emissions from buildings, but the agency has not responded to our demands. They must act to protect our health.State and local air districts in Texas, Utah, and California have already proposed or enacted similar standards for NOx pollution from heating appliances. It's time to set similar limits nationwide for the health and wellbeing of all of us, no matter where we live or what our background is.

Our new report, “The Outdoor Pollution is Coming From Inside the House: National Building Pollution Report,” shows the health and climate impacts of burning gas, propane, and oil under our roofs. It also reveals that this pollution disproportionately burdens vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, low-income communities, communities of color, renters, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Sign the petition to urge the EPA to set strong safeguards for such polluting systems like furnaces and water heaters -- for healthier homes and healthier families!

Don't forget to add your own personal comment for why this is important to you to make an even stronger impact.

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We need strong clean air standards for heating appliances

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I am writing to support the petition for a rulemaking to list fossil fuel-fired heating appliances as a source category under section 111 of the Clean Air Act and set a zero-nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standard for furnaces and water heaters within the category that are manufactured after 2030. Burning fossil fuels in our homes and businesses is a big source of air pollution that harms people’s health and contributes to the climate crisis. Residential and commercial heating appliances, like furnaces and water heaters, are a significant source of pollutants that directly impact human health when inhaled– namely, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Exposure to NOx pollution can cause serious harm to human health, including people’s hearts and lungs. Children, people with asthma, and older adults have increased risk. And each year, residential and commercial buildings contribute nearly 9 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the US - which is more than the emissions of over 170 countries! We know we need to reduce climate emissions to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis. We have alternatives to fossil fuel-fired furnaces and water heaters. Electric heat pumps are an available and efficient option for water heaters and furnaces and cause no direct emissions. Yet right now - there are no federal limits on pollution from fossil heating appliances. That’s why I support the EPA petition filed by Sierra Club and 25 other groups to list these appliances as a source of pollution and set zero NOx emission standards for furnaces and water heaters manufactured after 2030.

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