Leaders across the West Valley are pushing for a greener future in one of the country’s most polluted areas, but it could be more challenging after a controversial ruling on the use of gas.
Campbell and Los Gatos recently explored ways to limit nitrogen oxide emissions caused by gas. The Campbell City Council unanimously approved a policy over the summer. Los Gatos is following close behind after its Town Council voted 3-2 last month, with Mayor Mary Badame and Vice Mayor Matthew Hudes voting no, to draft a similar policy.
Campbell’s policy — which cites nitrogen oxide’s harmful effects on resident health, including impaired lung function, increased asthma attacks and heart damage — prohibits the installation of nitrogen oxide-emitting equipment such as water heaters, furnaces, ovens, stoves and dryers in new construction or substantial remodels. Cupertino chose to implement a policy that requires new buildings to meet rigorous energy efficiency standards by incentivizing all-electric builds, but left room for a mix of electricity and gas…