Legislation aims to modernize heat pump permitting
On Jan. 15, 2025, SB 222, the Heat Pump Access Act passed through the Senate Committee on Local Government, after passing the Senate Committee on Housing last week without any opposing votes. The bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), is aimed to modernize and streamline California’s outdated permitting infrastructure for heat pump installations. The bill will make it easier, faster and more affordable for contractors to install cost-effective, efficient heat pumps for space cooling and heating, as well as water heating. SB 222 will also accelerate the adoption of clean energy appliances to help the state meet its goals of installing six million heat pumps by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
“The Heat Pump Access Act is a commonsense way to reform the permitting system so that more Californians can access highly efficient heat pump technology, which helps provide life-saving clean cooling and air filtration during extreme heat, wildfires, and poor air quality days,” said Sam Fishman, Sustainability and Resilience Policy Manager at San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR). “Standardizing the permitting process will simplify installations for homeowners and contractors and accelerate heat pump adoption to advance the state’s sustainability goals.”
