Industrial Boilers in Southern California
Southern California is home to approximately 1,900 industrial boilers, used in factories and buildings across Southern California. These aging boilers, used by manufacturers, schools, and hospitals, emit massive amounts of smog-forming pollution from burning fossil fuels, worsening our region’s air quality crisis.
In 2024, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) updated Rule 1146.2 to pass the nation’s first zero-pollution rule for small industrial boilers. This rule will eliminate 5.6 tons of NOx pollution every day by 2033 – equivalent to taking half of the region’s cars off the road.
SCAQMD is considering vital new rules to build on this momentum and crack down on this hidden source of pollution, but SoCalGas and the fossil fuel industry are fighting to protect their profits at the expense of our health.
Use the map below to see how pollution from industrial boilers affects your community.
Spotlight: Clean Industrial Heat in Southern California
Leading institutions across Southern California are showing what's possible with clean industrial heat. CSU Dominguez Hills reduced fossil gas use by 95% through innovative heat pump technology, while UCI Health – Irvine opened the nation's first all-electric acute care hospital—proving that cleaner, more efficient equipment can improve air quality, reduce costs, and power even the most demanding facilities.
(Left) Kenny Seeton, Director of Central Plant Operations and Strategic Energy Projects at California State University Dominguez Hills, points to a poster of Alice H. Parker. (Hannah Benet for Earthjustice)
(Right) Members of the SoCal Clean Manufacturing Coalition with Kenny Seeton in CSU Dominguez Hill’s Central Plant. (Hannah Benet for Earthjustice)
Growing Demand for Clean Air
Across Southern California, more than a dozen cities and student governments have passed resolutions in support of clean industrial heat.
The SCAQMD has led the country in passing life-saving rules and they can protect our health while creating good-paying jobs by enacting zero-emission rules for industrial boilers.
They need to hear from the people they represent. Every signature shows that our community wants clean air and life-saving protections.
Fast Stats
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About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences.
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38% of K-12 schools are located within 1 mile of a 1146x facility. 816 of these schools are located in an environmental justice community.
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