The inaugural “OCBC Business Connections” featured a panel of industry experts who discussed the implications of two proposed amendments by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. If adopted, Proposed Amended Rules (PARs) 1111 and 1121 would mandate businesses, residents and new buildings to exclusively install and/or replace natural gas appliances with electric appliances. While OCBC supports clean air initiatives, the conclusion of this meeting was that these amendments would have minimal benefits for the environment yet financially would burden businesses and individuals. Most notably, these amendments would further reduce the region’s already sensitive affordability index for housing.

Helping to shed light on SCAQMD’s proposed mandate were, pictured R-L, The Honorable Don Wagner of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Jessilyn-Ellise Davis of SoCalGas, Brian Bunger of Holland & Knight LLP, and moderator OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball. AQMD declined an invitation to take part in the panel.