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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Adoption of a Resolution to Accelerate the Decarbonization of Industrial Boilers and Polluting Equipment to Improve Air Quality and Public Health in Culver City and Urge the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to Amend Rules 1146 and 1146.1; and (2) Direction to Distribute the Resolution to SCAQMD and the Sierra Club.
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Meeting Date: April 27, 2026
Contact/Dept.: Alicia Ide, Public Works Department
Shelly Wolfberg, City Clerk’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-5618
(310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Sierra Club - California Representative Mandeera Wijetunga; Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/23/2026)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (04/07/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a Resolution to support acceleration of decarbonization of industrial boilers and polluting equipment in order to improve air quality and public health in Culver City, and urge the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to amend their Rules 1146 and 1146.1, which will phase out nitrogen oxides (“Nox”) emissions for medium and large gas-fired boilers and water heaters; and (2) direct the distribution of the Resolution to SCAQMD and the Sierra Club.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the January 8, 2026 Standing Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting, the Subcommittee heard a presentation from the Sierra Club and Earth Justice, requesting Culver City’s support for proposed updates to South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rules 1146 and 1146.1, which would phase out harmful emissions from medium and large gas-fired industrial boilers and water heaters.
RULE 1146. (a) Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters.
<https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/rule-book/reg-xi/rule-1146.pdf?sfvrsn=4>
RULE 1146.1. (a) Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Small Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Boilers, Steam Generators, and Process Heaters.
<https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/rule-book/reg-xi/rule-1146-1.pdf?sfvrsn=4>
SCAQMD is currently holding working group meetings with stakeholders to discuss Rules 1146 and 1146.1. Culver City has identified one business with a 1146/1146.1 SCAQMD Permit. City facilities, such as the Plunge, would be subject to this requirement going forward as well. The City has identified cost as being the primary impact of these rule updates.
The proposed resolution presented by the Sierra Club proposes three key actions for Culver City:
1. Calls on all industrial operators within city limits to replace polluting industrial boilers and other heating equipment with zero-emissions alternatives without delay, as soon as technically and economically feasible; and
2. Urges the South Coast Air Quality Management District, including through amending rules 1146 and 1146.1, the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, and the California Public Utilities Commission to provide strong regulatory, financial, and technical support to advance adoption of zero-emissions technologies and accelerate the decarbonization of industrial systems; and
3. Commits to exploring and planning to integrate air quality, health equity, and environmental justice into all industrial permitting, planning, and economic development decisions, in order to protect public health and ensure safe, breathable air for all residents.
At the March 12, 2026 Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting, Sustainability Subcommittee Members reaffirmed that the resolution should be taken directly to the full City Council. Staff is to return to the Subcommittee only with supplemental information about potential impacts, while allowing the resolution itself to move forward immediately as originally directed.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the City at this time, nor is there a fiscal impact to adopt this Resolution.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. 2026-04-27-ATT 1-Resolution to Accelerate Decarbonization of Industrial Boilers and Polluting Equipment
2. 2026-04-27-CC-ATT 2-Standing Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting 2026-01-08 Agenda A1 Staff Report. (Links to staff report attachments are available at <https://www.culvercity.gov/Events-directory/PW-Event-Sustainability-SubCom-Meeting>.)
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution to accelerate the decarbonization of industrial boilers and polluting equipment to improve air quality and public health in Culver City, and urge the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to amend their Rules 1146 and 1146.1, which will phase out nitrogen oxides (“Nox”) emissions for medium and large gas-fired boilers and water heaters; and
2. Direction to distribute the Resolution to SCAQMD and the Sierra Club.