Climate panel weighs water heater rule and concrete resolution

Fairfax's Climate Action Committee spent much of its May 19 meeting tracking a regional fight over gas water heaters. The Bay Area Air District's Rule 9-6, which would phase out gas water heaters, drew lengthy public comment at the district's May 6 and 16 meetings before board members took a straw vote to proceed with the rule in October 2027, passing 10-8. Staff estimated roughly 40% of households would qualify for low-income or complicated-project exemptions.

Member Jody Timms raised the idea of the committee sending its own letter of support to the full Air District board, noting the Town Council has already passed a resolution backing Rule 9-6. The committee did not take a vote on the letter at this meeting.

Separately, the committee discussed drafting a low-carbon concrete resolution for Fairfax, modeled on measures already adopted by Mill Valley and Sausalito. Bruce Ackerman reported that local contractor Nader Tammanie supports the idea, but no draft language or timeline was presented.

On other fronts, staff reported Police Chief Tabaranza is on board with electrifying the police fleet, though funding for chargers still needs to be found, and the Tree Committee is revising the town's tree ordinance with a public input session planned for July 27. The committee also approved the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan.