Anaheim City Council
July 15, 2025

Date: 4/7/2025 6:36:05 PM
From:" jodiemosley"
To:" Public Comment" [email protected], "Ryan Balius" Subject:[ EXTERNAL] 39 Commons
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Weat Anaheim agrees with Ryan Balius, wanting answers to when Beach blvd is going to actually see 39 Commons... not just townhomes and a burger place. The Beach blvd Specific Plan was created with west Anaheim residents in mind!!! Please follow up with A bigger better wrap, And big signs with very clear dates on exactly when stores will be built. You dud it with the townhomes!
Thank you!
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
You don't often get email from dylan.plummer@sierraclub. org. Learn why this is important Date: 4/4/2025 1:27:12 PM
From:" Dylan Plummer" [email protected]
To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Cc:" KimOrbe" [email protected]
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Letter fromSierra Club opposing Anaheim City Council Agenda Item17 Attachment: Sierra Club Letter to Anaheim 4_4_25.pdf;
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Mayor Aitken and Members of Anaheim City Council,
Find attached a letter voicing Sierra Club's opposition to the Anaheim City Council's upcoming agenda item 17, a resolution to oppose the South Coast Air Quality Management District's rules 1111 and 1121.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dylan Plummer
Campaign Advisor, Building Electrification, Sierra Club he/him/his
Represented by Progressive Workers Union
dylan. plummer@sierraclub. org
April 4, 2025
Mayor Aitken and Members of the Anaheim City Council,
On behalf of the Sierra Club and our members and supporters in Anaheim, I request that you oppose Agenda Item 17, a letter to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) opposing Rules 1111 and 1121. The letter is inaccurate and outdated, and does not reflect recent changes to the rules to ensure affordability and to put the onus for compliance on appliance manufacturers. This new framework does not ban gas appliances or mandate an electric transition, making the resolution irrelevant to the current regulations, which are completely different from the rules that your resolution opposes.

These rules are critical, as the South Coast Basin has the worst air quality in the nation, with some of the worst rankings for ozone (smog) and particle pollution, impacting approximately 17 million residents .

Rules 1111 and 1121 will improve public health by incentivizing the transition from polluting gas furnaces and water heaters to electric alternatives. This shift will significantly reduce residents' exposure to harmful NOx emissions, which are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Additionally, there are a number of programs that make installation of electric appliances more affordable for residents. The state’s HEEHRA program offers families between $4,000-$8,000 for installation costs, and South Coast AQMD’s Go Zero program will provide $1,500 in rebates for water heaters and heat pumps. An analysis from RMI shows that existing incentives make new electric appliances cost-competitive with gas appliances, while providing a public health benefit.

Please reject this damaging resolution and vote no on Agenda Item 17.

Thank you,
Kimberly Orbe
Senior Conservation Program Manager
Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important Date: 4/6/2025 7:46:27 PM
From:" Pete Marsh"
To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Please SUPPORT SCAQMD' s Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121 Attachment:

SCAQMD is Phasing Out Deadly Appliance Emissions - Households and Businesses CAN Afford This Change - Pete Marsh - March 2025.pdf;
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Dear Mayor Aitken and city councilmembers:

I write about Agenda Item 17 on the Anaheim City Council meeting Agenda for April 8th, 2025:

I as k that ins tead of a res olution oppos ing to the Rules , as recommended by the Honorable councilmember Kurtz, the Anaheim City Council send a letter in SUPPORT of Propos ed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.

Thes e rules , contrary to the concerns expres sed by opponents , will actually save the city money. I've attached a White Paper I submitted las t month to the SCAQMD Governing Board which explains why in great detail.

The bottom line is that while opponents say we can' t afford to trans ition away from gas -fired appliances , the reality is that we can' t afford not to.

I'll acknowledge right up front that fos sil fuels have been very good for humanity in many ways over a couple of centuries . However, we' ve learned that they come with significant downs ides to our economy, as well as human health and the environment: air pollution ( such as the NOx addres sed by the Propos ed Rules ) caus es 8-10 million premature deaths globally each year, and climate change is costing the economy dearly. Here' s an excerpt from the attached white paper:

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commis sion ( CFTC) in September 2020 issued a sobering report titled “ Managing Climate Ris k in the U.S. Financial Sys tem.” note that this was in the fourth year of Pres ident Trump' s firs t term, and he had appointed all five commiss ioners who chartered this report and signed off on it) The opening paragraph ofthe Executive Summary states starkly:

Climate change pos es a major ris k to the stability of the U.S. financial system and to its ability to sus tain the American economy." The CFTCreport furtherfinds : "IRENA estimates that $110 trillion of cumulative worldwide investment in the energy sector will be needed leading up to 2050 IRENA, 2019). That equates to roughly 2 percent of average global gross domestic product (GDP) per year over the period. Of the $110 trillion, $95 trillion is already required under the reference cas e scenario of current plans and policies but would need to be redirected from inves tments in high- carbon to low-carbon activities .

An additional $15 trillion is necessary to furtherreduce emissions . This trans formation is es timated to boos t total global GDP by 2.5 percent, or 5.3 percent when cons idering the avoided climate- related damages relative to the reference case ( maintenance of current plans and policies ). The transition would result in $11.8 trillion in stranded assets by 2050, but delaying action would nearly double total stranded assets to $19.5trillion by 2050. However, the cumulative benefit in terms of avoided climate- related and air pollution damages ranges from $ 50 trillion to $142 trillion, and reducing fossilfuel subsidies would generate further savings of $15 trillion by 2050, relative to the reference case.”
Please notice that Ihaven' t mentioned polar bears or unicorns . This about economics ; the quoted passage is froma conservative agency finding that Bus ines s As Us ual is already cos ting the economy, and will impos e increas ing costs.

I'mnot naive enough to pretend that this will be easy. I choose to workon phasing out gas appliances fromthe 120+ million existing dwelling units in the US, because their customnature makes themone of the most challenging parts of the lowcarbon energy transition. And the fossilfuel industry is around 15% of global GDP, so nothing about the transition is simple. But SCAQMD' s Propos ed Rules 1111 and 1121 are the most affordable and fair way to make our homes healthier: when an appliance reaches end of life, the property owner will have to recapitalize that asset no matter what. Instead of investing in an asset that will likely become stranded, replace it with an asset that provides better health, better performance, and lower operating costs .

Please issue a letter in SUPPORT ofSCAQMDProposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.

Thank you.

Pete Marsh
Long Beach, CA ( yes , I'm a neighbor, not a res ident of Redlands . But your decis ion impacts the entire air bas in, so pleas e cons ider this input.) Small business owner and retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander ( O-5) who also held regional leadership roles with a highly successful startup company and a marquee international technology consulting firm. Pro bono leadership roles in numerous civic and educational commissions and nonprofit organizations focused on climate solutions, especially the decarbonization of the nation’ s existing building stock, including:

USGBC California, AIA California, the Climate Reality Project, Climate Action California, and more.

California’ s South Coast Air Quality Management District SCAQMD) is Phasing Out Deadly Appliance Emissions in Homes Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change:

Here’s Why
Prepared By: Pete Marsh, March 2025
Comments welcome:

Introduction :

This white paper summarizes numerous studies and analyses that illuminate the importance and affordability of two Proposed Amended Rules under consideration by California’ s South Coast Air Quality Management District ( SCAQMD).

The rules, PAR 1111 and PAR 1121 , would deliver healthier air by driving down deadly emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen NOx) and related toxic gases that are released into the atmosphere and in many cases into nearly six million Southern California dwelling units. The rules help households upgrade from polluting furnaces and water heaters to state- of-the- art and highly efficient equipment in the most cost- effective and equitable manner possible: as building owners replace existing appliances, usually at end of life, manufacturers must meet increasingly high sales targets of non- emitting appliances.

About the Author :

The author is a solar contractor, small business owner, and retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander ( O-5) who held command assignments both afloat and ashore. He also held regional leadership roles with a highly successful startup company and a marquee international technology consulting firm, including enterprise resource allocation and budgeting responsibility in both his public and private sector roles. He holds pro bono leadership roles in numerous civic and educational commissions and nonprofit organizations focused on climate solutions, especially the decarbonization of the nation’ s existing building stock, including: USGBC California, AIA California, the Climate Reality Project, Climate Action California, and climate and sustainability commissions and task forces at large cities and and school districts. He holds multiple degrees: BS in Marine Science from the US Coast Guard Academy, and MS in Telecommunications Systems Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School ( which is roughly half telecom engineering and half MBA).

Comments welcome: Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... 3 FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION DRIVES AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ........................................ 6 Air Pollution ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 California Air Resources Board 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy .............................................. 6 South Coast Air Quality Management District Air Quality Management Plan ........................................... 6 Greenhouse Gases ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ............................................................................... 7 US Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) ........................................................................................ 7 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment (CCA4) ......................................................................... 8 Reducing Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases: #ElectrifyEverything Does Most of the Work ...................... 9 Safest and Cleanest Sources of Energy: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Nuclear, Geothermal ...................................... 9 AFFORDABILITY - MACROECONOMICS: FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION .......... 11 Fossil Fuel Subsidies: $1.2 Trillion per Year of Direct Subsidies, and $6T Indirect ...................................... 12 NOAA: Billion Dollar Disasters Show Rapidly Increasing Disasters and Cost Due to Climate Forcing ........ 12 Insurance and and Reinsurance Industry is Pulling Out of HIgh Risk Areas Due to Climate Risk ................ 12 US Federal Reserve Bank: Climate Change Likely to Increase Financial Shocks and Financial System Vulnerabilities ................................................................................................................................................ 14 CFTC: Climate Change Poses a Major Risk to the Stability of the US Financial System ............................. 14 Social Cost of Carbon: Accounting for Externalities ...................................................................................... 16 Cost of Doing Nothing / Business as Usual / Status Quo .............................................................................. 17 AFFORDABILITY - ENERGY SYSTEM ECONOMICS ...................................................................................... 18 Electricity Generation: History and Recent Trends ....................................................................................... 18 Growth of Zero Carbon Electricity Generation in the 2010s to 2020s ........................................................... 18 ElectrifyEverything: the Technology Exists Today, and is Less Expensive than the Status Quo ................. 20 AFFORDABILITY - MICROECONOMICS: INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD IMPACTS .......................................... 22 Household Affordability: Space and Water Heating ...................................................................................... 22 HEALTH IMPACTS ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Global Health Impacts ................................................................................................................................... 25 Air Pollution Causes 8M~10M Premature Deaths Per Year .................................................................... 25 California Health Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 26 South Coast Air District Health Impacts ........................................................................................................ 26 OTHER OBJECTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 28 Modern Heat Pumps Work Well Below Negative 20 Degrees Fahrenheit .................................................... 28 The Technology Just Isn’t Ready” (It Is) ....................................................................................................... 29 Yes, the Electric Grid Can Handle Electrification of the Economy ................................................................ 30 Grid Outage Risk: Clean Energy is the Most Reliable Energy ................................................................ 31 Resilience: How Households and Communities Deal with Grid Outages ............................................... 31 100 Amp Panels: Over 90% of Electrical Panels Can Handle Full Electrification ......................................... 33 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................................... 34 Comments welcome: Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
California’ s South Coast Air Quality Management District ( SCAQMD) is considering two Proposed Amended Rules that would phase out the deadly emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen ( NOx) and dozens of related toxic fumes that are released into the atmosphere and in many cases into nearly six million Southern California dwelling units. These two rules phase out furnaces and water heaters that emit these pollutants in the most affordable and equitable manner possible: as existing appliances reach their end of life, building owners will upgrade to zero- NOx appliances. Primarily, these will be heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, which are both highly efficient and a mature / on the shelf technology 1 .

These rules are needed because the Los Angeles area still has the highest levels of ozone in the nation, and is one of only two regions that are in extreme nonattainment of the 2015 US EPA 8-hour ozone standard, 70ppb. The 2022 AQMP concludes that only way to achieve the required ozone reductions is to reduce NOx through extensive use of zero emission technologies across all stationary and mobile sources
2 .

These rules are among the most impactful policies for upgrading existing buildings with pollution- free technologies under consideration in the state, and perhaps the nation. SCAQMD is among the early adopters, but not the first: New York State and City, Massachusetts, Washington State, Colorado, Denver, Boston, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and other jurisdictions who care about their residents’ health and livelihoods have already passed similar legislation or regulations. As of January 2025, The Building Decarbonization Coalition’ s policy tracker reflects 152 policies adopted by 130 local governments, 5 states, and 2 regional entities that address building specific operational fuel types and related emissions in the United States. An interactive map provides details 3 .

Numerous legal mandates require CARB and California’ s 35 Air Districts to implement rules to reduce smog, air pollution, and greenhouse gases: the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) 4 , California’ s Assembly Bill 32 (AB32) 5 , the California Air Resources Board ( CARB) 2022 State Implementation Plan ( SIP) 6 , the US Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement 7 , and more.
7 UNFCCC. “ Nationally Determined Contribution ( NDC) to the Paris Agreement Synthesis Report.” Accessed January 11, 2025. https:// unfccc. int/ process- and- meetings/ the- paris- agreement/ nationally- determined- contributions- ndcs/ ndc- synthesis- report/ ndc- synthe sis- report
6 California Air Resources Board. “ CARB 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy,” 2022. https:// ww2. arb. ca. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ 2022- 08/ 2022_ State_ SIP_ Strategy. pdf 5 Nunez. “ AB32, California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: Air Pollution, Greenhouse Gases,” September 27, 2006. https:// leginfo. legislature. ca. gov/ faces/ billNavClient. xhtml? bill_ id=200520060AB32 4 US EPA. “ US Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401.” Overviews and Factsheets, February 22, 2013. https:// www. epa. gov/ laws- regulations/ summary- clean- air- act 3 Building Decarbonization Coalition. “ Zero Emission Building Ordinances.” BDC. Accessed October 3, 2024. https:// buildingdecarb. org/ zeb- ordinances .
2 South Coast Air Quality Management District. “ South Coast AQMD Air Quality Management Plan 2022,” page ES- 1 Accessed January 11, 2025. https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ air- quality/ air- quality- management- plans/ air- quality- mgt- plan 1 South Coast Air Quality Management District. “ SCAQMD Proposed Amended Rules ( PAR) 1111 and 1121.” Accessed October 18, 2024. https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ air- quality/ air- quality- management- plans/ air- quality- mgt- plan Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

These rules have co- benefits of eliminating other criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases, all of which create major positive impact for human health and the economy.

Opposition groups have expressed numerous objections to these draft rules, the most oft- stated being that Southern California households and businesses “ can’ t afford to implement the rules” 8 .

Extensive bodies of research conclude the opposite: the status quo or Business As Usual approach, in which ~ 80% of total US energy is derived from fossil fuel combustion, is already causing ruinous economic damages from air pollution and climate change- amplified extreme weather events such as the devastating Los Angeles area wildfires of January 2025. For instance, a September 2020 US Commodity Futures Trading Commission ( CFTC) report concluded that if the world transitions to a zero carbon energy economy, “ the cumulative benefit in terms of avoided climate- related and air pollution damages ranges from $ 50 trillion to $142 trillion, and reducing fossil fuel subsidies would generate further savings of 15 trillion by 2050 .” 9Additionally, “ the transition would result in

11.8 trillion in stranded assets by 2050, but delaying action would nearly double total stranded assets to $19.5 trillion by 2050.” 10
According to the World Bank, global subsidies to the fossil fuel industry impose over $ 7 trillion of cost onto the economy, about 7% of the global 2023 $ 106T GDP 11 . These include direct price support to consumers and producers and indirect subsidies from externalities such as the health and environmental costs of air pollution from fossil combustion, climate damages, and more.

Affordability of compliance for individual households, especially low income, has been a major concern of commenters concerned about these rules. Two separate analyses specific to the South Coast Air Basin found that zero- emission equipment actually costs less up-front than gas- fired in some cases. 12 There’ s also a large body of peer- reviewed research which finds that fossil fuel combustion causes massive human health impacts, including 8 to 10 million premature deaths per year. 13 , 14
14 Wallace- Wells, David. “ Ten Million a Year.” London Review of Books, December 2, 2021. https:// www. lrb.co. uk/ the- paper/ v43/ n23/ david- wallace- wells/ ten- million- a- year 13 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “ Fossil Fuel Air Pollution Responsible for 1 in 5 Deaths Worldwide,” February 9, 2021. https:// www. hsph. harvard. edu/ c- change/ news/ fossil- fuel- air- pollution- responsible- for- 1-in-5-deaths- worldwide 12 Laurie Stone, Jed Holtzman, and Rachel Golden, “ Heat Pumps Reduce Smog in Southern California. Available Incentives Mean They Can Also Cost Less Than Gas Equipment.,” RMI, February 21, 2025, https:// rmi. org/ heat- pumps- reduce- smog- in-southern- california- available- incentives- mean- they- can- also- cost- less- than- gas- equipment . 11 International Monetary Fund. “ Fossil Fuel Subsidies.” IMF. Accessed March 21, 2023. https:// www. imf. org/ en/ Topics/ climate- change/ energy- subsidies 10 Ibid
9 Ibid
8 South Coast AQMD. “ Comment Letters on SCAQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.” Accessed January 11, 2025. https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ rules- compliance/ rules/ scaqmd- rule- book/ proposed- rules/ rule- 1111- and- rule- 1121/ comment- letters Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

In the SCAQMD region alone, fossil- fired air pollution is responsible for 76,000 asthma attacks, 30,000 days of missed school, 130 premature deaths, and $ 2 billion in health impacts 15 .

At the local level, Long Beach city council members and community advocates often point out that some studies have found life expectancy in West Long Beach to be up to 17 years shorter than a few miles away in East Long Beach. A major part of causation is fossil combustion along Interstate 710, colloquially known as the “ Diesel Death Corridor.” Numerous other objections are raised by written and verbal comments in this proceeding; while there are certainly challenges, the cost of taking action on existing buildings is far less than the cost of inaction. This white paper addresses many of those objections.

The drivers of both air pollution and climate change are primarily combustion of fossil fuels 16 .

The solution to eliminating emissions of both criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases, which has become clear in the last decade, is strikingly straightforward: numerous studies conclude that we can power well over 80% of the US and global economies with electric end use devices that are on the shelf right now, while simultaneously shifting energy supply to low emission sources - primarily solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and nuclear 17 . We can and must start immediately on this journey, while conducting research in the handful of “ Difficult To Decarbonize” ( DTD) sectors: long distance shipping, long distance aviation, and a few high heat industrial processes.

The existing building stock falls into the DTD category, not because of a lack of technology, but because of the sheer quantity of existing buildings that must be addressed, one at a time. There are over 120 million dwelling units in the United States, and about 70 million of them use gas furnaces and 60 million use gas water heaters. These appliances together contribute a significant fraction of NOx and other criteria pollutants, and roughly 10% of US greenhouse gas emissions, Until we replace them with non- emitting appliances, we’ ll continue to combust fossil fuels, continuing to impose cost and health impacts on humanity 18 . The sheer number of these appliances, and the relative uniqueness of each structure and its electrical wiring, makes it a huge challenge to upgrade homes to electric appliances.

Upgrading gas furnaces and water heaters to zero- NOx appliances as they reach end of life, and while we have large incentives available from the federal government, state, SoCalREN, and SCAQMD, is by far the most affordable and equitable way to accomplish this.
18 Griffith, Saul. “ Electrify: The Book.” Rewiring America, The MIT Press. October 04, 2022. https:// www. rewiringamerica. org/ electrify- the- book 17 Hausfather, Zeke, and Erik Olson. “ What New Net- Zero Studies Tell Us About Electricity Decarbonization.” The Breakthrough Institute. Accessed August 21, 2023. https:// thebreakthrough. org/ issues/ energy/ new- net- zero- studies- on- electricity- decarbonization . 16 US Global Change Research Program. “ Fifth US National Climate Assessment.” Fifth National Climate Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 2023. https:// nca2023. globalchange. gov/ downloads . 15 Southern California’ s Hidden Air Pollution Problem: Gas Furnaces & Water Heaters,” Coalition For Clean Air and Rocky Mountain Institute, 2024, https:// www. ccair. org/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2024/ 12/ South- Coast- Brief. pdf Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION DRIVES AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE A doctor doesn’ t prescribe treatment before making a diagnosis. Similarly, we need to state clearly the diagnosis for earth’ s atmosphere before discussing solutions and whether or not they are affordable.

Air Pollution
California Air Resources Board 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy This section summarizes the statutory and federal regulatory framework that require these measures, mostly excerpts quoted from the CARB SIP.

These measures are needed across the State of California for areas to meet the federal 70 parts per billion ( ppb) 8-hour ozone standard ( 70 ppb ozone standard) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( U.S. EPA) in 2015….

California has the only two areas in the nation with an Extreme classification for the 70 ppb ozone standard, the South Coast Air Basin ( South Coast) and the San Joaquin Valley ( Valley). While the Proposed 2022 State SIP Strategy is being developed primarily as a roadmap for attaining the 70 ppb ozone standard, the emissions reductions will also support attainment of other ozone ( e.g. 80 ppb, 75 ppb) and fine particulate ( PM2. 5) national ambient air quality standards ( NAAQS), make progress towards the State air quality standards, and improve visibility across the State….

Residential and commercial buildings in California are the source of about 66 tpd NOx38 statewide due to natural gas combustion. Nearly 90 percent of building NOx emissions are due to space and water heating and the remaining 10 percent are due to cooking, clothes drying, and other miscellaneous end uses. At the regional level, approximately one- third of projected building related emissions in South Coast could be reduced by 2037 if zero- emission standards were implemented in 2030 for space and water heating….” 19 South Coast Air Quality Management District Air Quality Management Plan The California Air Resources Board ( CARB) 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy reports that the Los Angeles area has the highest levels of ozone ( smog), which is created from NOx ( oxides of nitrogen), in the nation.

The rules discussed in this white paper focus on Oxides of Nitrogen ( NOx), because that criteria pollutant is the one for which the LA basin is in worst non- attainment. But there are a huge number of other co- benefits to eliminating fossil combustion, including significant reductions in emissions of other criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases.

On October 1, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards ( NAAQS) for ground- level ozone, lowering the primary and secondary ozone standard levels to 70 parts per billion ( ppb). The South Coast Air Basin is classified as in “ extreme” nonattainment. The 2022 AQMP was developed to 19 California Air Resources Board. “ CARB 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy,” 2022. https:// ww2. arb. ca. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ 2022- 08/ 2022_ State_ SIP_ Strategy. pdf .

Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

address the requirements for meeting this standard and was adopted December 2, 2022 by the South Coast AQMD Governing Board. 20
Greenhouse Gases
While the rules herein specifically address the criteria pollutant NOx, since that is the legal authority of California' s Air Districts, it is valuable to recognize that reducing NOx emissions will have significant co-benefits, particularly in driving down the greenhouse gas ( GHG) emissions that drive global warming and the economic, human health, and ecosystem damages that it causes.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The 2021 Sixth Assessment Report ( AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC) opens with the straightforward conclusion that “[ A.1 It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.

Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred. [ A.1.1]: Observed increases in well- mixed greenhouse gas ( GHG) concentrations since around 1750 are unequivocally caused by human activities.” 21
Dr. Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown has one of the most straightforward graphs that summarize the sources of GHGs. They are produced by six major sectors of the economy, five of which involve combustion of fossil fuel ( coal, oil and gas) for energy: electricity, industry, transportation, buildings, and other energy emissions are about 75% of emissions. Food & land use contribute the remaining 25%, primarily deforestation, methane emissions from cattle and rice fields, and nitrogen fertilizer overuse.

US Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5)
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’ s preeminent report on climate change science, impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision- making across the US22 . This graphic summarizes several critical realities about climate change:

Climate change is happening right now in all regions of the US Without deeper cuts in global net emissions, climate risks to the US will continue to grow.

How much more the US warms depends on choices made today.

Action to limit future warming and reduce risks can have near- term benefits and opportunities. 22 US Global Change Research Program. “ Fifth US National Climate Assessment.” Fifth National Climate Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 2023. https:// nca2023. globalchange. gov/ downloads . 21 Masson- Delmotte, Valérie, Sarah L. Connors, et al., eds. “ IPCC Assessment Report 6 - Climate Change 2021: Physical Science Basis.” Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021. https:// www. ipcc. ch/ report/ sixth- assessment- report- working- group- i . 20 South Coast Air Quality Management District. “ South Coast AQMD Air Quality Management Plan 2022,” page ES- 1 Accessed January 11, 2025. https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ air- quality/ air- quality- management- plans/ air- quality- mgt- plan .

Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment (CCA4)
California’ s Fourth Climate Change Assessment translates the state of climate science into actionable information. It presents findings in the context of existing climate science, including strategies to adapt to climate impacts.” From the abstract:

In the absence of significant global mitigation action and regional adaptation efforts, rising temperatures, sea level rise, and changes in extreme events are expected to increasingly disrupt and damage critical infrastructure and property, labor productivity, and the vitality of our communities. Regional economies and industries that depend on natural resources and favorable climate conditions, such as agriculture, tourism, and fisheries, are vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change.

Rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, wildfire on rangelands, and heavy downpours are expected to increasingly disrupt agricultural productivity in the United States. Expected increases in challenges to livestock health, declines in crop yields and quality, and changes in extreme events in the United States and abroad threaten rural livelihoods, sustainable food security, and price stability Our Nation’ s aging and deteriorating infrastructure is further stressed by increases in heavy precipitation events, coastal flooding, heat, wildfires, and other extreme events, as well as changes to average precipitation and temperature. 23
23 “ California’ s Fourth Climate Change Assessment,” California Natural Resources Agency, California Energy Commission, California Governor’ s Office of Planning and Research. January 16, 2019. https:// climateassessment. ca. gov .

Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

Reducing Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases: #ElectrifyEverything Does Most of the Work Climate journalist David Roberts, author of the newsletter Volts , in 2021 Published an article in which he laid out “ a simple framework to help people think about how to prioritize climate policies.” 24 This quote from the article is a succinct summary of the key actions necessary to rapidly reduce both greenhouse gases and air pollution, including NOx ( emphasis added):

While different climate models disagree about which policies and technologies will be needed to clean up remaining emissions after 2030, virtually all of them agree on what’s needed over the next decade.

It’s clean electrification:

1. clean up the electricity grid by replacing fossil fuel power plants with renewable energy, batteries, and other zero-carbon resources;

2. clean up transportation by replacing gasoline and diesel vehicles — passenger vehicles, delivery trucks and vans, semi-trucks, small planes, agricultural and mining equipment, etc. — with electric vehicles; and

3. clean up buildings by replacing furnaces and other appliances that run on fossil fuels with electric equivalents.

Or as I summarize it: electrify everything!
Clean electrification is the entrée. If you decarbonize electricity, transportation, and buildings, you’ve taken out the three biggest sources of emissions in virtually every country. The technologies and policies we need to do it exist today, ready to deploy .” This concise summary has become a guiding principle for many organizations and researchers working to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. But until the last decade, it wasn' t at all clear that it would be either technically feasible or affordable to shift the global energy economy - which constitutes over 15% of global GDP - from its current heavy reliance on coal, oil, and gas to zero air pollution and zero GHG emissions in both energy supply and energy usage. The last decade has proven, both empirically in actually deployed technologies and studies assessing growth, that it is both feasible and affordable.

The next several sections summarize trends in the clean energy transition: history of energy sources, financials, manufacturing, and deployment of zero carbon energy sources. These, coupled with a clear eyed assessment of the high cost of doing nothing ( stranded assets, externalities, and supply and demand), make it clear that not only can we afford the clean energy transition, we can' t afford NOT to do it - and rapidly.

Safest and Cleanest Sources of Energy: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Nuclear, Geothermal 24 Roberts, David. “ On Climate Policy, There’ s One Main Thing and Then There’ s Everything Else,” January 8, 2025. https:// www. volts. wtf/ p/on- climate- policy- theres- one- main Comments welcome:
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Since this paper discusses the clean energy transition, it’s vital to establish what energy sources are considered clean. The chart below from Our World in Data summarizes their 2020 report which concludes “ Fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous energy sources, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner.” 25 The greenhouse gas emissions intensity of eight
energy sources on the right hand side of this
chart make clear:

Clean energy includes wind, solar, and
nuclear energy , which each emit only 3
to 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per
gigawatt hour ( GWh) of electricity
generated.

Gas, oil, and coal , meanwhile, emit 490,
720 and 820 tonnes of CO2e per GWh,
or from 100 to 200 times more
greenhouse gases per unit of electricity
generated. These are the sources we need to rapidly phase out.

Hydropower is generally considered both clean energy generation and also Long Duration Energy Storage LDES), shifting power generation from the west’ s rainy winter season to the dry summer season.

Biomass is complicated, and a small fraction of power generation.

Enhanced geothermal energy is not shown on the chart, but is a recently emerging very low emissions generating technology that is not weather- dependent.
25 “ What Are the Safest and Cleanest Sources of Energy?,” Our World in Data, February 10, 2020, https:// ourworldindata. org/ safest- sources- of- energy Comments welcome:
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AFFORDABILITY - MACROECONOMICS: FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF FOSSIL FUEL

COMBUSTION
The objection most often posed to the low emissions energy transition is “ We cannot afford to phase out fossil fuels.” In fact, the opposite is true: we can’ t afford NOT to transition away from fossil fuel combustion.

The majority of stated objections center around individual households, and cite high - often exaggerated - costs for low-NOx space and water heating appliances. This paper will address those. But in order to understand why it’s important to eliminate emissions from each individual dwelling unit, we must first understand the staggering magnitude of cost imposed on society as a whole by fossil fuel combustion. Once we establish that context, the value of addressing each and every end use machine becomes much more clear.

The status quo, in which ~ 75% of total US energy is derived from fossil fuel combustion, will cause tremendous economic damage from air pollution and climate change- amplified extreme weather events such as the devastating Los Angeles area wildfires of January 2025.

This section summarizes a few of the many sobering analyses about climate change economic impacts, followed by the good news regarding low carbon energy generation.

Many of these reports refer to global, national, or regional economies; the 2023 scale of each was:

Global GDP: $ 106. 2T26 , 27
US GDP: $ 27.7T28
California GDP: $ 3.2T29
Southern California GDP: $ 1.95T 30
30 St. Louis Fed. “ Real Gross Domestic Product by County 2023: California.” Accessed January 12, 2025. https:// fred. stlouisfed. org/ release/ tables? rid= 397& eid= 1071149 . 29 Statista. “ Real GDP California U.S. 2023.” Statista. Accessed January 12, 2025. https:// www. statista. com/ statistics/ 187834/ gdp- of-the- us- federal- state- of- california- since- 1997 . 28 ibid
27 Rao, Pallavi. “ Visualizing the $ 105 Trillion World Economy in One Chart.” Visual Capitalist, August 9, 2023. https:// www. visualcapitalist. com/ visualizing- the- 105- trillion- world- economy- in- one- chart . 26 World Bank. “ GDP Ranking by Nation 2023.” Accessed January 12, 2025. https:// datacatalog. worldbank. org/ search/ dataset/ 0038130 .

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Fossil Fuel Subsidies: $1.2 Trillion per Year of Direct Subsidies, and $6T Indirect The International Monetary Fund reports that in 2023, global fossil fuel subsidies were $ 7 trillion, or 7% of GDP . 18%

1.26T) of the 2022 subsidies are explicit support from
governments to fossil fuel producers, primarily undercharging for supply costs. The remaining 82% are implicit ( indirect) subsidies, primarily underpricing for local air pollution costs and climate damages ( about 30% each). Other implicit subsidies include broader road transport externalities such as congestion and road accidents ( 17%), and forgone consumption tax revenue 5%) 31 . Essentially, this means that fossil fuel combustion imposes a seven percent tax on the global economy.

NOAA: Billion Dollar Disasters Show Rapidly Increasing Disasters and Cost Due to Climate Forcing
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) has tracked Billion Dollar Disasters since 1980. These are primarily extreme weather events, which have been made more likely, more frequent, and more severe by the 2 degree Fahrenheit increase in global average temperature since pre- industrial times. As of January 2025, the US has sustained 403 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/ costs reached or exceeded $ 1 billion ( CPI adjusted to 2024 US dollars). The total cost of these 403 events exceeds $ 2.9 trillion. The average in the 1980s was 3.3 events per year, costing 299 human lives and $ 22B CPI adjusted. In the last five years 2020- 2024) 23.0 events per year, costing 504 human lives and $ 149B CPI adjusted 32 .

Insurance and and Reinsurance Industry is Pulling Out of HIgh Risk Areas Due to Climate Risk The reinsurance industry is in the business of providing insurance to insurance companies. Munich Re is one of the largest reinsurers. Their website lists 12 categories of risk to their global capital assets, and one of those is climate change and its consequences.

They introduce the topic thus: “ For five decades, Munich Re has been analysing the effects that global warming and natural climate variations have on weather- related natural disasters. We focus on the risks involved as well as on loss prevention and new risk transfer concepts. We make use of long- term meteorological and loss data to understand changes in 32 NOAA. “ Billion- Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters, 1980 - 2024.” NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 2020. https:// doi. org/ 10. 25921/ STKW- 7W73
31 International Monetary Fund. “ Fossil Fuel Subsidies.” IMF. Accessed March 21, 2023. https:// www. imf. org/ en/ Topics/ climate- change/ energy- subsidies Comments welcome:
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risk and to adjust our risk models accordingly. With this expertise, we can continue to provide our clients with the usual level of risk capacity. The current scientific consensus is that human greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution are overwhelmingly responsible for rising temperatures in the atmosphere and oceans. The consequences of global warming are many and varied.” 33
Munich Re’ s 2015 report “ Natural catastrophes 2015 - Analyses, assessments, positions,” was headlined “ The earth’ s hotting up,’ ” and included the graph at left which shows that the costs attributable to extreme weather disasters globally have been increasing rapidly, in a pattern very similar to NOAA’ s billion dollar disasters.

The risk analytics firm First Street Foundation describes itself as The Standard for Climate Risk Financial Modeling. We exist to make the connection between climate change and financial risk at scale for financial institutions, companies and governments.… Real estate, the bedrock of the American economy, is worth over 45 trillion dollars. Climate change has started to erode that foundation.” 34 Data scientists from First Street Foundation and Columbia University performed housing market research along the US East and Gulf coasts, and found that increased tidal flooding caused by sea level rise has eroded $ 15.8 billion in property values between 2005 and 2017. 35
They estimate that “ 39 million homes are covered at prices artificially lower than their true risk. They predict that as disasters continue surging, what they call the “ growing climate bubble in the housing market” will pop — leaving millions of homes uninsurable and destroying their value. The average homeowner who loses an insurance policy automatically sees a drop of more than 10 percent in the home’ s value.”
Reinsurers are particularly exposed to these hazards because many insurance companies seek primarily to cover catastrophic risks — major events like hurricanes that are intensifying as the world warms.” As a result, the reinsurance industry has paid dearly for much of the last decade; underwriting losses drove $ 115 billion in global reinsurance losses in 2022. “ There’ s a tension over a business model that’ s retrospective, with a risk that’ s emerging,” said Frank Nutter, president of the Reinsurance Association of America. The financial foundation of insurance, in other words, is cracking.
35 First Street Foundation. “ Rising Seas Erode $ 15. 8 Billion in Home Value from Maine to Mississippi.” Accessed January 17, 2025. https:// assets. firststreet. org/ uploads/ 2019/ 03/ Rising- Seas- Erode- 15. 8-Billion- in- Home- Value- from- Maine- to- Mississippi. pdf . 34 First Street Foundation. “ The Standard for Climate Risk Financial Modeling.” FirstStreet. Accessed February 16, 2023. https:// firststreet. org .
33 Munich Re. “ Climate Change and Its Consequences.” Accessed January 15, 2025. https:// www. munichre. com/ en/ risks/ climate- change. html .

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US Federal Reserve Bank: Climate Change Likely to Increase Financial Shocks and Financial System Vulnerabilities
The Federal Reserve System (" the Fed," the central bank of the United States), was created by Congress to provide the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system. In its November 2020 Financial Stability Report, the Fed addressed climate change for the first
time, and the message was stark: “ Climate change, which increases the likelihood of dislocations and disruptions in the economy, is likely to increase financial shocks and financial system vulnerabilities…. Acute hazards, such as storms, floods, droughts, or wildfires, can quickly alter, or reveal new information about, future economic conditions or the value of real or financial assets…. One example of how climate change is likely to increase financial stability risks is through real estate exposures…. As inundations [ from sea level rise] or storm surges become more frequent, the expected value of exposed real estate may decrease, which may in turn pose risks to real estate loans, mortgage- backed securities, the holders of these loans and securities, and the profitability of nonfinancial firms using such properties.” 36 CFTC: Climate Change Poses a Major Risk to the Stability of the US Financial System The mission of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission ( CFTC) is “ to promote the integrity, resilience, and vibrancy of the U.S. derivatives markets through sound regulation.” In September 2020, CFTC issued a sobering report titled “ Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System.” 37 The report presents 53 recommendations to mitigate risks to financial markets posed by climate change. The opening paragraph of the Executive Summary states starkly:

Climate change poses a major risk to the stability of the U.S. financial system and to its ability to sustain the American economy. Climate change is already impacting or is anticipated to impact nearly every facet of the economy, including infrastructure, agriculture, residential and commercial property, as well as human health and labor productivity. Over time, if significant action is not taken to check rising global average temperatures, climate change impacts could impair the productive capacity of the economy and undermine its ability to generate employment, income, and opportunity. Even under optimistic emissions- reduction scenarios, the United States, along with countries around the world, will have to continue to cope with some measure of climate change- related impacts.”
Chapter 8, “A Closer Look at Financing the Net- Zero Transition,” includes this paragraph which puts the investments and savings for the status quo versus the path for limiting [ global] warming in perspective:
37 Litterman, Bob. “ Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System,” September 9, 2020. https:// www. cftc. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ 2020- 09/ 9-9-20% 20Report% 20of% 20the% 20Subcommittee% 20on% 20Climate- Related% 20M arket% 20Risk% 20-% 20Managing% 20Climate% 20Risk% 20in% 20the% 20U. S.% 20Financial% 20System% 20for% 20posting. pdf . 36 Federal Reserve Board of Governors. “ Near- Term Risks to the U.S. Financial System.” Accessed January 15, 2025. https:// www. federalreserve. gov/ publications/ 2020- november- financial- stability- report- near- term- risks. htm Comments welcome:
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Investment needs are broadly estimated to be in the trillions of dollars. One estimate comes from the International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA), which charts an ambitious yet technically and economically feasible path for limiting warming to “ well below” 2 degrees Celsius, in line with the Paris Agreement. IRENA estimates that $ 110 trillion of cumulative worldwide investment in the energy sector will be needed leading up to 2050 ( IRENA, 2019). That equates to roughly 2 percent of average global gross domestic product ( GDP) per year over the period. Of the $110 trillion, $95 trillion is already required under the reference case scenario of current plans and policies but would need to be redirected from investments in high- carbon to low- carbon activities. An additional $ 15 trillion is necessary to further reduce emissions. This transformation is estimated to boost total global GDP by 2.5 percent, or 5.3 percent when considering the avoided climate- related damages relative to the reference case ( maintenance of current plans and policies). The transition would result in $11.8 trillion in stranded assets by 2050, but delaying action would nearly double total stranded assets to $19.5 trillion by 2050. However, the cumulative benefit in terms of avoided climate- related and air pollution damages ranges from $50 trillion to $142 trillion , and reducing fossil fuel subsidies would generate further savings of $15 trillion by 2050, relative to the reference case.” 38 This figure illustrates the complexity of the risks posed by air pollution and climate change to the global economy.

Additional takeaways from the CFTC report:

A world racked by frequent and devastating shocks from climate change cannot sustain the fundamental conditions supporting our financial system;”
U.S. financial regulators must recognize that climate change poses serious emerging risks to the U.S. financial system, and they should move urgently and decisively to measure, understand, and address these risks.” 38 Ibid
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This report was prepared by a subcommittee of 34 executives and researchers from industry, public interest groups, and academia. Notably, the subcommittee was appointed by a decision of the five CFTC Commissioners, all five appointed by President Trump during his first term. 39 Subcommittee Chair Bob Litterman, founding partner and Risk Committee Chairman of Kepos Capital, said “ I was amazed and gratified that the CFTC asked for this report, and I was honored to chair the subcommittee, but I think what is most unique about this effort is that more than 30 financial market participants agreed on so much.” 40
Social Cost of Carbon: Accounting for Externalities
The social cost of carbon ( SCC) is an economic field of study that quantifies the costs imposed on society from combustion of fossil fuels beyond the price paid “ at the pump,” by the direct consumer. Technically, it’s an estimate of the present discounted value of the future damage caused by 1 tonne of CO2 emissions 41 . Dr. William Nordhaus won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics for his 1980s work on the Social Cost of Carbon, and President Obama’ s Executive Order ( EO) 12866 in 2010 established an Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases ( IWG), which developed a methodology for estimating the SCC 42 .

The costs considered in the IWG’ s current SCC methodology are the financial impacts of climate change, including changes in agricultural productivity, property damage from increased flooding, increased extreme weather events, increased wildfires, reduced labor productivity, and declines in human health from hotter ecosystems 43 . The IWG methodology does not currently include several other factors, although a 2017 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine ( NASEM) to the IWG contains recommendations for considering them. These include global factors such as forced migration and economic and political destabilization; global biodiversity and species extinction; and health damages from air pollution, ozone pollution, and wildfire smoke 44 .

The IWG SCC was calculated at $ 42 during the Obama administration, then reduced to $3 at the beginning of the Trump administration. In 2021, EO 13990 restored it to $51 ($ 42 plus inflation), and also ordered a review; that review, delivered in September 2022, implements many of the NASEM suggestions and concludes that SCC is $190/ MT45 .

Federal agencies are required to use SCC to evaluate proposed regulations. California and 11 other states have adopted the federal SCC, and also use it in policy analysis 46 . Globally, about 70 nations or sub- nations covering 23% of global emissions place an actual price on carbon, in the form of either a Cap- and- Trade system like California’ s or a carbon tax 47 . 47 “ Which countries have put a price on carbon?,” Our World in Data. https:// ourworldindata. org/ carbon- pricing 46 “ States Using the SCC.” https:// costofcarbon. org/ states 45 US EPA, “ EPA External Review Draft of ‘ Report on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases: Estimates Incorporating Recent Scientific Advances,’” Sep. 22, 2022. https:// www. epa. gov/ environmental- economics/ scghg 44 Ibid.
43 Ibid.
42 US Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, “ Technical Support Document: Social Cost of Carbon, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide,” Feb. 2021.
https:// www. whitehouse. gov/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2021/ 02/ TechnicalSupportDocument_ SocialCostofCarbonMethaneNitrousOxide. pdf 41 K. Rennert and C. Kingdon, “ Social Cost of Carbon 101,” Resources for the Future, Feb. 03, 2022. https:// www. rff.org/ publications/ explainers/ social- cost- carbon- 101 (accessed Apr. 11, 2023). 40 “ CFTC’ s Climate- Related Market Risk Subcommittee Releases Report.” Accessed January 11, 2025. https:// www. cftc. gov/ PressRoom/ PressReleases/ 8234- 20 . 39 CFTC. “ Former Commissioners of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.” Accessed January 18, 2025. https:// www. cftc. gov/ About/ Commissioners/ FormerCommissioners/ index. htm .

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California AB-766, “ Climate change: corporate disclosures” ( Gabriel, Bennett, 2021- 2022) did not pass, but would have required “ covered corporations” to begin to account for the cost of emissions 48 .

State Lands Commission Order # W 17166 of 12 April 2023 was clear: “ incorporate risk identification and analysis to provide the transparency necessary to evaluate the efficacy of current and future operations, ” with SCC # 9 of 11 areas of consideration. For decades, ER has not quantified the damages caused by extraction, focusing only on the dollars flowing into city coffers. SCC gives City Council a tool to understand the magnitude of the health and budget impacts.

Cost of Doing Nothing / Business as Usual / Status Quo
The numerous reports described in this section emphasize a critical thread, too often ignored or downplayed, that runs through every discussion of air pollution and climate change: the cost of doing nothing .

When an enterprise or its board consultants analyze alternatives, a fundamental principle is that in addition to whatever options are evaluated, the analysis must assess feasibility and cost of maintaining the status quo.

The reports just summarized make clear that the global, national, and regional economies cannot afford to continue with the status quo, which involves powering over 80% of the US economy with coal, oil, and gas. In fact, if the US delays its transition to a low emissions energy economy, it will give away global leadership in the energy economy of the 21st century. China is already racing far ahead; every policy proposal that gives the US opportunities to more rapidly build our clean energy economy positions this nation better to compete. 48 AB- 766 ( proposed, not passed) Climate change: corporate disclosures. ( Gabriel, Bennett, 2021- 2022. https:// leginfo. legislature. ca. gov/ faces/ billStatusClient. xhtml? bill_id=202120220AB766 Comments welcome:
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AFFORDABILITY - ENERGY SYSTEM ECONOMICS
Electricity Generation: History and Recent Trends
Before looking to the future of the US energy system, it’s useful to review the past. In 2016, the US Energy Information Administration published this 80+ year look- back at utility- scale electric generating capacity by initial operating year, 1930- 2016. 49
This chart doesn’ t show total electrical energy
generation each year; it shows how much
generating capacity was added each year, and
from which sources. This is important context
as we consider how the grid might further
change in the future. The historical view of
how the electric grid has evolved over nearly a
century reveals several takeaways:

The grid is not constant - as the saying
goes, the only constant is change.

The electric grid added enough
capacity to double in the 1950s, and
doubled again in the 1960s. By comparison, the expansion by 2X to 3X over the next three decades that will be discussed in a subsequent section looks almost modest. It’s not: there’ s plenty of complexity. But the grid has achieved significant growth in the past, and if we trust American engineering, ingenuity, and innovation, we should be able to do so in the future.

The chart shows the dominance of coal from the 1950’ s into the 1980’ s, when the saying “ Coal is King” was prominent.

The fracking boom of the 2000’ s brought that to an end, and for a half decade the US built the most generating capacity ever, with about 180GW added from 2002 to 2006. One common objection to transforming the grid by building a lot of renewable energy is “ it can’ t be done.” The incredible expansion of gas plants in the 2000' s shows that isn’ t true: in a little over a decade, the US grid transformed from being dominated by coal to being dominated by gas, whose emissions intensity for onsite combustion is just half that of coal.

The US built most of its approximately 100 nuclear power plants in the 1970’ s and 1980’ s; all but a few remain online today, and are receiving service life extensions from public service commissions around the country, since they provide almost 100 GW of clean electricity generation at capacity factors over 90%.

In the mid- 2000’ s wind began to grow, and in the mid- 2010’ s solar followed suit. This EIA chart only extends through 2016, so it doesn’ t show a lot of renewable generation, but a subsequent section focused on the most recent decade will show the next phase of the transformation in the electrical grid.

Growth of Zero Carbon Electricity Generation in the 2010s to 2020s 49 US Energy Information Administration ( EIA). “ U.S. Utility- Scale Electric Generating Capacity by Initial Operating Year, 1930- 2016.” February 27, 2017. https:// www. eia. gov/ todayinenergy/ detail. php? id= 30112 .

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The previous section described US electricity generating sources over nearly a century. This section zooms in to the most recent timeframe. This chart from the US Energy Information Administration shows a dramatic shift over the last two and a half decades: gas plans dominated from 2000 to 2007, when wind began to comprise a significant portion of annual capacity additions; by 2015 wind and solar combined were over half of new capacity and have been every year since except 2018. By 2023, wind and solar and batteries were over 82% of new capacity, and in 2024 - not shown on this chart they comprised 94% of new capacity. 50
What has caused the rapid deployment of
clean energy generation? The same things
that have powered each industry
transformation in our economy ( steam
engine, the internal combustion engine,
20th century labor- saving household
appliances, and the computing and internet
revolutions): innovation, R& D,
manufacturing, demand, supply, increasing
scale, judicious government incentives in
many cases, and declining prices.

The following chart and summary from the annual energy transition presentation by the independent nonpartisan nonprofit, RMI, describes the pace and scale of the clean energy transition. 51 “ The energy system is being disrupted by the exponential forces of renewables, electrification, and efficiency.” In economic parlance, we say
knowledge exhibits increasing returns:
the more we discover, the more we
realize there is to find out. Commodities,
on the contrary, exhibit decreasing
returns: the more oil we dig, the more
onerous our efforts need to become.

These decreasing returns from oil or
coal are offset by improvements in the
technologies that extract them. The net
effect, however, is no structural decline
in cost. Oil prices today, in real terms,
are roughly the same as they were 140 years ago, and coal electricity prices are the same as they were 100 years ago.

Solar and battery prices, on the other hand, fall by about 20 percent for every doubling of deployment. And deployment has been doubling every two to three years. As a result, prices 51 Kingsmill Bond, Sam Butler- Sloss, and Daan Walter, “ The Cleantech Revolution - It’s Exponential, Disruptive, and Now,” RMI, June 2024, https:// rmi. org/ insight/ the- cleantech- revolution 50 Elesia Fasching and US Energy Information Administration ( EIA), “ Wind, Solar, and Batteries Increasingly Account for More New U.S. Power Capacity Additions,” Today in Energy, March 6, 2023, https:// www. eia. gov/ todayinenergy/ detail. php? id= 55719 .

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have plummeted. Solar prices are down 99.9 percent since the 1950s. Batteries prices are down 97 percent since the 1990s .

The more solar panels and batteries we make, the more we learn how to make them, and the cheaper they get… and the more we can afford and thus the more we demand.

Developing an energy source that gets cheaper the more we make of it is a milestone for humanity. The positive repercussions of which will be a defining thread of our era.

The energy transition can be seen as a shift from commodities to technologies; from digging to manufacturing; and from hunting to harvesting. It is a story of brains beating brawn.” Humanity is still relatively early in the clean energy transition, as can be seen in the previous EIA chart of US generating capacity from 1930- 2016. But the structural economic, manufacturing, and deployment of renewable energy revealed in the RMI report makes clear that change is coming, and rapidly.

ElectrifyEverything: the Technology Exists Today, and is Less Expensive than the Status Quo Previous sections showed the large scale and rapid pace of clean energy deployment in recent years. Building on that success, and looking 20 to 30 years into the future, numerous studies in the late 2010s and early 2020s evaluated national and global energy use across all sources and uses. Three respected peer- reviewed net zero studies were summarized by Dr.

Zeke Hausfather in a 2021 meta- study. 52 All three concluded that the US economy can reach net zero emissions by 2050:

A slew of new net-zero studies have been published in recent months, including Princeton's Net Zero America (NZA) project, the Vibrant Clean Energy Zero By Fifty scenario, and by a team of researchers led by Jim Williams at USF. All three of these take a deep-dive into how the US could reach net-zero emissions by 2050 , down to the level of where each new generating facility might be located, where new transmission lines would be built, and how electricity generation sources can meet hourly grid demand in different regions of the country. Each study contains multiple scenarios looking at the sensitivity to future technology prices, land use constraints, and other factors.

While the models differ in important ways, they all paint a broadly similar picture. Wind and solar expand rapidly in the next three decades. US coal use falls off a cliff, reaching zero by 2030 or 2035. At the same time, natural gas use stays rather flat — or even increases modestly — between 2020 and 2030, as it serves a key role in filling in the gaps in variable renewable generation. Gas capacity actually increases in two of the three decarbonization models through 2050, though capacity factors — how often the gas plants are run — fall rapidly, and gas increasingly becomes a blend of hydrogen and methane closer to 2050.”
Hausfather created this graph to summarize the 2020 US electricity generation mix, as well as the three studies’ projected generation mix in 2030, 2040, and 2050. The top level takeaway is that each study concludes 52 Zeke Hausfather and Erik Olson, “ What New Net- Zero Studies Tell Us About Electricity Decarbonization,” The Breakthrough Institute, February 22, 2021, https:// thebreakthrough. org/ issues/ energy/ new- net- zero- studies- on- electricity- decarbonization .

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Takeaways:

Future electricity demand: 2050 generation in the three models ranges from about twice the 4,000 Terawatt hour level of 2020 to three times that. These variations are driven by differing projections of economy- wide electrification rates, and the degree to which other sectors of the economy can be effectively electrified and their pace of change.

All three models find that wind and solar - variable renewable energy , or VRE - deliver between 51% and 91% of total electricity generation by 2050. The remainder is a mix of clean firm generation ( hydro, nuclear, and geothermal) with large expansions of transmission capacity, demand management, battery storage, and other dispatchable energy storage.

One model forecasts a large expansion of nuclear energy, while the other two project a bigger role for offshore wind.

Dr. Hausfather concludes his meta study with this summary:

The future electricity mix is difficult to foresee perfectly, and history is a graveyard of failed energy model predictions. All models are wrong, as the saying goes, but some are useful. These deep decarbonization models give us a sense of what may be needed. We should not fixate too much on the specific generation mixes in any particular scenario, but we should take heed of where the models agree: on the importance of near-term renewables deployment, the medium-term role of gas capacity to fill in the gaps, and the importance of clean firm generation and complementary technologies to wean the power system off its dependence on natural gas in the longer term.” Comments welcome:
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AFFORDABILITY - MICROECONOMICS: INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD IMPACTS The South Coast Air District is home to about 17. 5 million people, about 44% of California’ s population, and 5% of the US population. 53 This scale presents challenges for reducing NOx and other pollutants. It also means that actions taken here will have impact around the nation and the world.

The region has about 5.9 million housing units, or 43% of California’ s 13.7 million total; these include roughly 5 million gas furnaces and 5 million gas water heaters.

Approximately 48% of residential buildings are occupied by renters.

In 2018, residential combustion emitted 19.1 tons of NOx per day, 32% of the total emissions from stationary sources.

Household Affordability: Space and Water Heating
The existing building stock is a challenging sector in which to reduce NOx, other air pollutants, and greenhouse gases: in addition to the South Coast air district housing stock described above, nationwide there are over 120M households, with 70M gas furnaces and ~ 60M gas water heaters. 54 Each of those are unique installations, which means that installers can rarely achieve economies of scale which would reduce costs. When a building owner switches an appliance from gas to electric power, there can be additional Capital Expenses ( CAPEX) beyond what a like- for-like replacement with a gas appliance would cost. These fall into three categories: Appliance Cost, Electrical Circuit Cost, and Electrical Panel Upgrades, which are discussed in detail below.

The nonpartisan think tank RMI published a blog post in February 2025 that compares the cost of retrofitting an air- source heat pump to replace a combined furnace and air conditioner. Their analysis found that zero- emission equipment can deliver more than $ 10,000 in up-front cost savings in some cases. Even without federal home energy rebate funding, low- income households can save between $ 2,400 and $ 4,200 when choosing an air- source heat pump over a traditional furnace and AC system. And low- income households switching to heat pump water heaters from traditional gas units can save from $ 2,125 to $2,925. 55
In addition to the RMI analysis, this white paper analyzed actual installation data from the TECH Clean California program, a statewide initiative to accelerate the adoption of clean space and water heating technology across California homes in order to help California meet its goal of being carbon- neutral by 2045. In the four counties of the AQMD region, empirical cost data from 15,552 actual appliance replacements showed that on average, retrofitting heat pumps in place of a gas furnace with accompanying air conditioner resulted in lower CAPEX than replacing with like- for-like. The retrofits presented in this data set were performed by licensed California contractors in the TECH Clean California program. 56 56 TECH Clean CA, “ TECH Clean California Data Repository: Project Locations, Costs, and Incentives,” data extracted February 7th, 2025, https:// techcleanca. com/ heat- pump- data/ heat- pump- data- visuals 55 Laurie Stone, Jed Holtzman, and Rachel Golden, “ Heat Pumps Reduce Smog in Southern California. Available Incentives Mean They Can Also Cost Less Than Gas Equipment.,” RMI, February 21, 2025, https:// rmi. org/ heat- pumps- reduce- smog- in-southern- california- available- incentives- mean- they- can- also- cost- less- than- gas- equipment . 54 Saul Griffith, “ Electrify: The Book,” Rewiring America, accessed January 16, 2024, https:// www. rewiringamerica. org/ electrify- the- book 53 SCAQMD, “ Proposed Amended Rule 1111 and PAR 1121 Working Group Meeting ( WGM) # 1,” October 5, 2023, https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ news- events/ calendar_ v2?month= 10& day= 5& year= 2023& id=f892dbef- c2b6- 6f27- bf6f- ff00004a91a9 Comments welcome:
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Appliance Retrofit Cost Summary Table :
4-County
Total / Average
San Bernardino
County
Riverside
County
Orange
County
Los Angeles
County
HPWH installations 2,357 355 811 224 967
HP HVAC installations 13,165 1,507 5,067 2,422 4,169
Average HPWH project cost per residence $ 6,096 $ 5,343 $ 7,270 $ 5,583 $ 6,187 Average HPWH incentive per residence $ 4,841 $ 4,130 $ 6,542 $ 3,902 $ 4,789 Average HPWH out of pocket cost per residence $ 1,255 $ 1,213 $ 728 $ 1,681 $ 1,398 Average HPWH percent savings per residence 79% 77% 90% 70% 77% Average Gas WH project cost per residence $ 3,000
Average HPWH out of pocket cost vs higher (lower)
than like-for-like per residence
1,745)
Average Heat Pump project cost per residence $ 18,373 $ 15,996 $ 17,687 $ 19,336 $ 20,472 Average Heat Pump total incentive per residence $ 1,929 $ 2,021 $ 2,086 $ 1,784 $ 1,825 Average Heat Pump out of pocket cost per residence $ 16,444 $ 13,975 $ 15,601 $ 17,552 $ 18,647 Average Heat Pump percent savings per residence 10% 13% 12% 9% 9% Average Gas Furnace plus AC project cost per
residence
18,800
Average Heat Pump out of pocket cost vs higher
lower) than gas furnace plus ac per residence
2,356)
Average Gas Furnace project cost per residence $ 10,000 Average Heat Pump out of pocket cost vs higher
lower) than like-for-like per residence
6,444
Each project involved installing either a heat pump water heater or heat pump space conditioning system. This summary table also compares the costs of fuel- switching retrofits to the costs of like-for-like retrofits, as presented in SCAQMD’ s Working Group Meeting # 2
57 ; these costs were taken from a 2019 study by the energy consulting firm E3. 58 So while it is absolutely appropriate to carefully examine household budget impacts, empirical data shows that on average, retrofitting with zero- NOx appliances is affordable. Here are further details on the three components of retrofit costs:

Appliance cost ( CAPEX) : A heat pump is usually more expensive than a gas furnace, and usually less expensive than a furnace plus accompanying air conditioner. Heat pump water heaters ( HPWH) are more expensive than gas or electric resistance water heaters. The Summary Table above shows that of the 15,000 retrofits performed:

Heat pump water heater retrofits in the project set were almost $ 3,100 greater than like- for-like gas, but the average $ 4,841 incentives made the replacement about $ 1,800 less expensive than like-for-like. 58 Charles Li et al., “ Residential Building Electrification in California,” April 15, 2019, https:// www. ethree. com/ e3- quantifies- the- consumer- and- emissions- impacts- of- electrifying- california- homes 57 SCAQMD, “ Proposed Amended Rule 1111 and PAR 1121 Working Group Meeting ( WGM) # 2,” November 28, 2023, https:// www. aqmd. gov/ home/ news- events/ calendar_ v2?month= 11& day= 28& year= 2023& id= 4601deef- c2b6- 6f27- bf6f- ff00004a91a9 Comments welcome:
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When a heat pump retrofit replaces both a gas furnace and an air conditioner, the average price is a few hundred dollars less than replacing with a gas furnace and air conditioner. And with the average $ 1,929 incentives, savings increased to an average $ 2,356. Since 87% of SCAQMD region homes already have AC, this metric applies to the vast majority of households .

When a heat pump retrofit replaces a gas furnace but not air conditioning, the cost is about $ 6,400 more than replacing with a like- for-like gas furnace, even with incentives. This condition is found in only about 13% of SCAQMD region households; and it means that the household now has AC, which they didn' t have before.

Electrical Circuit Cost : To switch these appliances from gas to electric, some homes will need an upgraded electrical circuit: larger wire gauge, and in rare cases a four wire circuit instead of a three wire circuit. But the majority of 240 volt heat pumps and heat pump water heaters can use the same two current carrying conductors and ground conductor that were in place for the gas furnace or water heater being replaced. If an upsized circuit is needed, that can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Main Panel Upgrades : As recently as 2022, Rewiring America and other groups estimated that as many as about 50% of homes switching from gas to electric would need to upgrade their main electrical panel, and estimated the cost at $2K~$4K each. But in 2023, New Buildings Institute and Redwood Energy collected empirical data from over 70,000 households in California' s PG& E utility territory, and over 20, 000 in PG& E territory. Over the course of a full year, only 2% of households ever exceeded 88 amps. And the average peak load in all-electric homes was just 32 amps.
59 This means that most houses with 100 amp panels should be able to electrify without upgrading, and even add EV charging . (Some will need to add a subpanel, or upgrade the main panel, if they have no more physical circuit breaker spaces available; and others will choose to replace old panels that appear to be safety concerns. Nationwide, the US electrical code was upgraded in 1962 to require 100 amp panels, and since the early 1990s most California homes have been built with 200 amp panels. By using efficient appliances, circuit sharing devices, and other efficient design techniques, Redwood Energy shows how to operate a 3,000 square foot home all-electric. 60
This section has focused on the existing built environment. For new construction, building all-electric is less expensive than dual- fuel homes with both gas and electric. New Buildings Institute found that “ The all-electric single- family home is 7,500-$ 8,200 cheaper to construct than the baseline code home.” The reason: an all-electric house doesn' t have to have a trench dug to the gas distribution pipe in the street; doesn' t have to have the lateral ( pipe from street to meter) installed; doesn' t need a gas meter; doesn' t need any gas piping inside the house; and doesn' t need any venting for combustion exhaust. 61 Similar studies have found that for multifamily residential, the construction cost savings are about $ 3,500 per dwelling unit.
61 Sean Denniston et al, “ Cost Study of the Building Decarbonization Code - New Buildings Institute,” April 2022, https:// newbuildings. org/ resource/ cost- study- of-the- building- decarbonization- code 60 Sean Armstrong, “ How to Electrify A Residence Without A Panel Upgrade,” Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, December 2021, https:// homes. lbl. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ 2021- 12/ How% 20to% 20Electrify% 20A% 20Residence% 20Without% 20Panel% 20Upgrades. pd f
59 Amruta Khanolkar, Sean Armstrong, and Tom Kabat, “ We Can Power the Homes of the Future with Electric Panels of the Past,” New Buildings Institute, July 25, 2023,
https:// newbuildings. org/ we- can- power- the- homes- of-the- future- with- electric- panels- of-the- past Comments welcome:
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HEALTH IMPACTS
Global Health Impacts
Air Pollution Causes 8M~10M Premature Deaths Per Year
Our World in Data performed a detailed review of several studies that estimate the global death toll from air pollution.

They found that “ the two most widely- cited estimates attribute around 7 million deaths per year to air pollution . But the published estimates span a wide range. More recent studies tend to find a higher death toll than earlier studies. This is not because air pollution – at a global level – is worsening, but because the more recent scientific evidence suggests that the health impacts of exposure to pollution is larger than previously thought…. Exposure to air pollutants increases our risk of developing a range of diseases, in three major categories: cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers.” 62
It makes sense to think of these estimates as ‘ avoidable deaths’ – they are the number of deaths that would be avoided if air pollution was reduced to levels that would not increase the risk of developing these lethal diseases.

Death is, of course, not the only negative consequence of air pollution. Many millions more suffer from poor health as a result.
62 Roser, Max. “ Our World in Data: How Many People Die Each Year from Air Pollution?” Our World in Data. Accessed March 21, 2023. https:// ourworldindata. org/ data- review- air- pollution- deaths .

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California Health Impacts
A recent detailed analysis suggests that adoption of low- carbon energy in California to reduce GHG emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels would lead to a 55 percent reduction in air pollution mortality rates relative to 2010 levels 63 These public health improvements have a value of $11-20 billion/ year in California. The majority of these public health savings are associated with reductions in PM concentrations, which is the primary air quality challenge in California.

A 2018 report for the California Energy
Commission quantified the health benefits
of deep air pollution and GHG emission
reductions in California in financial terms.

The analysis examined the co-benefits of
reducing greenhouse gases and air
pollutants that accrue when fossil fuel
combustion declines. It concluded that
Using recent evidence on links between
pollution mitigation and public health, the
model was able to estimate long- term
economic benefits from averted deaths and
medical care attributable to California
climate policy. The team estimated the economic value of these health benefits is comparable to the direct costs of the entire energy system buildout. Thus, the state’ s climate initiative, still controversial for some, could be justified solely on public health grounds.” 64
South Coast Air District Health Impacts
Despite progress over the last three decades to reduce ozone pollution in the South Coast AQMD, progress has leveled off recently. We still violate federal health- based ozone standards more than 100 days a year. The 2022 Air Quality Management Plan ( AQMP), the blueprint for cleaning the air in the region, noted that the prior strategy of incrementally cleaner combustion was not sufficient to make it safe to breathe. In fact, the 2022 AQMP stated clearly that “ the only way to achieve the required NOx reductions is through extensive use of zero- emission technologies across all stationary and mobile sources.” In particular, the AQMP noted we need to go to zero- emissions everywhere feasible. Upgrading homes with zero- emission technologies like heat pumps for space and water heating is not only feasible but will deliver enormous co-benefits like expanding access to cooling in homes.

A recent analysis from the Coalition for Clean Air and RMI noted that “ methane gas- burning equipment in residential and commercial buildings in the South Coast Air Basin is responsible for:
64 California Energy Commission. “ Exploring Economic Impacts in Long- Term California Energy Scenarios.” California Energy Commission, current- date.
https:// www. energy. ca. gov/ publications/ 2018/ exploring- economic- impacts- long- term- california- energy- scenarios . 63 Zapata, Christina B., Chris Yang, Sonia Yeh, Joan Ogden, and Michael J. Kleeman. “ Low- Carbon Energy Generates Public Health Savings in California.” Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 18, no. 7 ( April 10, 2018): 4817– 30. https:// doi. org/ 10. 5194/ acp- 18- 4817- 2018 .

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Approximately 76,000 asthma attacks per year.

About 30, 000 lost school days annually.
130 premature deaths each year.

Annual health impacts valued at $2 billion 65
These vital rules are the largest emission reduction effort in more than three decades. Upgrading homes with zero- emission technologies for space and water heating when appliances need replacement will dramatically cut pollution in the region and help bring the region’ s air into compliance with state and federal standards. 65 Southern California’ s Hidden Air Pollution Problem: Gas Furnaces & Water Heaters,” Coalition For Clean Air and Rocky Mountain Institute, 2024, https:// www. ccair. org/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2024/ 12/ South- Coast- Brief. pdf Comments welcome:
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OTHER OBJECTIONS
Numerous other objections to the actions necessary to phase out fossil fuel emissions are have been raised in written and verbal comments. These commenters may not be aware of the current state of heat pump, grid, and other technologies that make the transition to zero carbon space and water heating not just feasible, but lower lifecycle cost in the vast majority of cases. This section addresses several common objections:

Modern Heat Pumps Work Well Below Negative 20 Degrees Fahrenheit Several commenters have argued that heat pumps don't work in cold climates. A couple of decades ago, it was true that heat pumps only worked above about positive 20 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Several advancements in the last decade have combined to allow heat pumps to operate down to 20 or more degrees F below zero.

Variable capacity compressors and fans
Variable Refrigerant Flow ( VRF)
Inverter drive 66
Computer control
Vapor injection and liquid injection 67
Advanced Refrigerants
Using waste heat to prevent icing below freezing. 68
The Consumer Reports article cited above includes this very balanced quote: “ Of course, you’ ll also find people who say that after spending tens of thousands of dollars on the installation, they’ re left with a chilly home and sky- high utility bills.

But that’ s more likely to happen only if you end up with a contractor unfamiliar with heat pumps. Chances are, if you pick the right equipment for your home and your climate, make any recommended weather- sealing upgrades, and hire a reputable contractor with experience installing heat pumps, you should have a good outcome.” The next generation of cold climate heat pump advancements is underway in the Department of Energy’ s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge, in which eight manufacturers are involved: Bosch, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls, Lennox, Midea, Rheem, and Trane Technologies. 69
How can heat pumps work at temperatures so low? Because physics tells us that any matter contains heat energy whenever its temperature is above absolute zero , which is 273 °C or -459 ° F. An easier way to think about it is to use the Kelvin scale, which reads zero at absolute zero, instead of Celsius, which physicists set for easy reference to water, which freezes at 0 °C (273 ° K) and boils at 100 ° C (373 ° K). 70
70 Wikipedia, “ Absolute Zero,” in Wikipedia, accessed February 24, 2025, https:// en. wikipedia. org/ w/index. php? title= Absolute_ zero& oldid= 1277312264 . 69 US DoE, “ Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge,” US Department of Energy, October 2021, https:// www. energy. gov/ eere/ buildings/ residential- cold- climate- heat- pump- challenge . 68 Chris Baraniuk, “ Meet the Heat Pump: An Old Technology That’ s the Future of Home…,” Canary Media, February 28, 2023, https:// www. canarymedia. com/ articles/ heat- pumps/ meet- the- heat- pump- an- old- technology- thats- the- future- of-home- heating . 67 Jon Reed, “ Bring Home the Latest Cold Climate Heat Pumps - CNET,” CNET, January 23, 2025, https:// www. cnet. com/ home/ energy- and- utilities/ bring- home- the- latest- cold- climate- heat- pumps/ . 66 Liam McCabe, “ Can Heat Pumps Actually Work in Cold Climates?,” Consumer Reports, April 9, 2024, https:// www. consumerreports. org/ heat- pumps/ can- heat- pumps- actually- work- in- cold- climates- a4929629430/ .

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The improvement in heat pump performance is not just theoretical: the chart below shows very high penetration in nations with the highest incidence of heating degree days: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. 71 And in the United States, Maine is a recognized leader in heat pump deployment.

Another practical approach to cold climates is to use a backup source of heat. Sometimes called dual fuel, hybrid, or supplemental, these systems use heat pumps until the temperature drops below its capability; at that time, a backup source of heat comes online. These systems are often only needed for the coldest few nights per year. The backup source can be one of many choices:

Electric resistance, whether integrated into the central system or as simple as a plug in space heater.

A previously existing furnace or boiler, which are sometimes left in place as the backup.

Wood burning stove, which already exist in many cold climate residences.

The Technology Just Isn’t Ready” ( It Is)
Many of the public comments consisted of assertions that “ the technology just isn’ t ready yet” ( meaning heat pumps and heat pump water heaters). Most of these comments were based on either outdated information, misperceptions, or simply disingenuous.

The previous section addressed the fact that cold climate heat pumps are in fact able to fully capable of delivering comfortable dwellings.
71 Jan Rosenow et al., “ Heating up the Global Heat Pump Market,” Nature Energy 7, no. 10 ( September 7, 2022): 901– 4, https:// doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41560- 022- 01104- 8 .

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Other commenters stated that heat pumps can’ t handle larger buildings. Yet, Trane, Daikin, and more offer heat pumps up to 2,000 kilowatts ( 6.8MBtu/ hr input). 72 , 73 . One of Daikin’ s highlighted projects is a building the size of over 23 football pitches (~ football fields). 74
Heat pump water heating is also readily available for commercial and multifamily buildings. The Advanced Water Heating Initiative ( AWHI) has held several annual conferences highlighting the availability and capabilities of these systems. 75 Yes, the Electric Grid Can Handle Electrification of the Economy Some commenters suggested that electrifying our buildings could have negative impacts on the electric grid, or that the grid can’ t handle full electrification. Most of these assert that electric loads are increasing, but do not acknowledge that grid capacity is also rapidly expanding.

Southern California Edison submitted a letter to SCAQMD on October 16th, 2024 stating clearly that they are indeed expanding their grid, and that it will be able to handle electrification.

SCE is proactively transforming the electric grid to accommodate significant advancements in decarbonized generation, the widespread adoption of customer-owned distributed energy resources, and the increasing use of electric vehicles and zero-emission appliances like heat pumps. As outlined in Edison’s whitepapers “ Countdown to 2045” and, most recently, “Reaching Net Zero,” electrification is the most cost-effective path to decarbonize California’s economy and we are proactively working to plan for grid infrastructure needs. the necessary grid planning efforts required.” 76 They also point out the value of using demand response to shift demand away from peaks, such as configuring a heat pump water heater to heat to water at lowest demand times of day, which in most Time Of Use tariff schedules are also the lowest price per kilowatt hour.

Grid capacity and resilience are important considerations. The good news is that the nation’ s 3,000 electric utilities are hard at work on grid expansion, and there are many excellent companies, nonprofits, and academics working on these exact issues. As discussed in a previous section, numerous studies over the last half decade have concluded that it is not only technically feasible to electrify 80 to 90% of the US economy, but also that high electrification is the most cost effective approach. These studies analyze the dual demands: converting all current fossil fired equipment to electric, and economic growth in all sectors. They conclude that the US national electric grid must expand from today' s generation of approximately 4,000 terawatt hours per year to between 10,000 and 12,000 terawatt hours per year in nearly three decades.

For comparison, the United States doubled our grid capacity in the 1950s, and doubled it again in the 1960s. So the task before us, a 2x-3x expansion in about three decades, is arguably more modest. 76 Rosalie Barcinas, “ Public Workshop for Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121,” Southern California Edison, October 16th 2024, https:// www. aqmd. gov/ docs/ default- source/ rule- book/ Proposed- Rules/ 1111- and- 1121/ comment- letter- from- socal- edison- 20241016. pd f?sfvrsn= 4 .
75 New Buildings Institute, “ Heat Pump Water Heater Day,” Advanced Water Heating Initiative, accessed November 13, 2023, https:// www. advancedwaterheatinginitiative. org/ hpwh- day- resources . 74 “ Daikin Heat Pump Solutions for Commercial Buildings,” Daikin Internet, accessed February 24, 2025, https:// www. daikin- ce. com/ en_ us/ solutions/ heat- pumps- for- commercial- buildings. html . 73 “ Heat Pumps,” Trane Corp, accessed February 24, 2025, https:// www. trane. com/ commercial/ north- america/ us/ en/ products- systems/ heat- pumps. html . 72 “ Decarbonising Commercial Buildings with Heat Pumps,” Daikin, accessed February 24, 2025, https:// www. daikin- ce. com/ en_ us/ product- group/ commercial- heatpumps. html .

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Grid Outage Risk: Clean Energy is the Most Reliable Energy We often hear assertions that wind and solar energy are unreliable. In particular, after winter storm Uri in Texas, numerous politicians from fossil- heavy states quickly blamed wind. However, that proved to be wrong: thorough analysis by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC) found that coal and gas plants made up 73 percent of the generator capacity that experienced unplanned outages or substantially reduced output. 77 The reality is that renewable energy resources have proven track records of both reducing peak demand and high reliability This chart from energy transition
researcher and advisor Nat Bullard shows
the 2022 System Average Interruption
Duration Index for each of the 50 states, as
reported by utility companies to the US
Energy Information Administration ( EIA).
78 Virginia, with only 5% penetration of
renewables, had the highest average
service interruption rate at over 18 hours
that year, while Iowa with over 60%
renewables penetration was among the
lowest average service interruption rates,
at less than two hours. In California, our
2022 SAIDI was 3.3 hours, in the best
one- third of states.

In California, the Public Utilities Commission tracks outages in detail for every Investor Owned Utility ( IOU). 79 SCE’ s 2023 SAIDI was 115 minutes or 1.9 hours, and its ten year average is 144 minutes or 2.4 hours. These are better than the state and national averages. In fact, with outages of only 2.4 hours out of 8,760 hours per year, SCE’ s grid has a reliability up-time of 99.97% over the last ten years.

The evidence is clear: The US electrical grid can handle electrification . California' s grid has higher reliability than the national average. And SCE territory, which has a high degree of overlap with the South Coast Air Basin, os more reliable than the California average.

Resilience: How Households and Communities Deal with Grid Outages The US and Southern California electric grids are, as discussed above, highly reliable. But as with any human- engineered system, outages occur. Resilience is the measure of households’ ability to withstand and recover when outages happen. 79 California Public Utilities Commission, “ Electric System Reliability Annual Reports,” CPUC, accessed February 13, 2025, https:// www. cpuc. ca. gov/ industries- and- topics/ electrical- energy/ infrastructure/ electric- reliability/ electric- system- reliability- annual- rep orts .
78 Nat Bullard, “ Annual Presentation on the State of Decarbonization,” January 30, 2025, https:// www. nathanielbullard. com/ presentations .
77 Aaron Schwartz and Ashtin Massie, “ Reality Check: Keeping the Lights on in Extreme Winter Weather,” RMI, December 13, 2023, https:// rmi. org/ reality- check- keeping- the- lights- on- in- extreme- winter- weather .

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One common assertion by fossil fuel advocates is that keeping gas as a part of the energy mix provides a hedge against electric grid outages. At first blush, this “ dual fuel” approach sounds like a plausible way to avoid “ putting all your eggs in one basket.” But that appearance is false: most modern gas- fired appliances in homes depend on electricity to function.

While some existing appliances use pilot lights, those are no longer allowed in most appliances and so replacements would require electricity).

Gas furnaces require electricity for blower fan motors, control relays, and thermostats.

Most gas water heaters require electricity for ignition, thermostat, and sensors.

Gas dryers require electricity for cycle controls, tumbler, and control.

Modern gas stoves have electronic ignition for igniting the gas. It is possible to light most with a match or lighter, though many have a thermal flame sense system that requires the flame heats up enough to keep the gas valve on.

Gas ovens generally cannot be lit with a match.

So the positioning of gas as an element of a resilience scheme is a myth.

Actual resilience involves preparedness on the part of both households and communities. A 2018 report by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions ( C2ES) describes household resilience measures including batteries attached to the building, gas- fired backup generators, and neighbors helping neighbors. 80 Heat pump water heaters constitute a large thermal battery, with 40 to 80 gallons of hot water that in a well-insulated tank will last for over 24 hours. Whole- home batteries have low penetration today, but it is rapidly increasing as battery prices continue to fall steeply, and since the CPUC’ s 2024 introduction of Net Billing Tariffs by utility companies. And portable power stations, sometimes known as solar generators,” are portable batteries that can provide backup power for moderate loads for several hours. And while the economy is still in the early stages of the energy transition, propane heaters and camp stoves provide short- term resilience.

Cities and communities also have resilience strategies. At the high end, since Hurricane Katrina New Orleans has implemented electricity system hardening, microgrids, efficiency programs for homes and businesses, and improved disaster preparedness communication. Community resilience centers are common in many cities, providing residents a place with space heating and cooling, hot water, and cooking.

Reliable energy supply is vital in modern society. The nation’ s and state’ s utility companies make it one of their highest priorities.
80 Ashley Lawson, “ Resilience Strategies for Power Outages,” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions ( C2ES) ( blog), August 2018, https:// www. c2es. org/ document/ resilience- strategies- for- power- outages .

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100 Amp Panels: Over 90% of Electrical Panels Can Handle Full Electrification Another common objection to electrification is the concern that many electrical panels will have to be upgraded; Rewiring America as recently as 2022 projected that a few tens of millions of homes would need electric panel upgrades from 100 amps to 200 amps.

However, recent studies have found that panel
upgrades will not be required nearly as often. A July
2023 report from New Buildings Institute and
Redwood Energy points out that in 1962 the “ Live
Better Electrically” movement succeeded in
changing the National Electric Code, requiring all
new houses to be built with 100 amps of power at
240 volts, up from 60 amps. And in the 1990s, the
residential standard panel size increased to 200
amps. NBI described a study of over 75,000
Sacramento ( CA) Municipal Utility District
SMUD) homes, which recorded their one- hour peak
power demands over one year and showed that the
average all-electric home peaked at just 32 amps, far less than a 100 amp panel ’s capacity. ( By comparison, gas- burning homes peaked at about 20 amps). 81
The NBI report also described a study of over
22,000 California homes in Pacific Gas and
Electric ( PG& E) territory, in which only 2% of
households peaked above 88 amps.

These two large samples of empirical real- world
data show that panel upgrades will not be needed
for the majority of homes.

The NBI report concluded that “ there is a cheaper
and easier way to electrify our homes of the future:
keep 100- 150 amp panels in place and help
homeowners go on a ‘ watt diet.’ A watt diet means intentionally selecting energy- efficient, correctly sized, low power equipment, and allocating available power to that equipment just when needed.” A valuable tool here is circuit splitters, which allow two or more devices to share a single electrical circuit, with only one operating at a time. For instance, an EV charger and a clothes dryer can share a 240V / 40A circuit. 81 Amruta Khanolkar, Sean Armstrong, and Tom Kabat, “ We Can Power the Homes of the Future with Electric Panels of the Past,” New Buildings Institute, July 25, 2023,
https:// newbuildings. org/ we- can- power- the- homes- of-the- future- with- electric- panels- of-the- past .

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Similar conclusions were reached by the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association ( SPUR). 82 They found that electric panel and service upgrades are often the most expensive and time- consuming aspects of electrification, and discourage building owners from undertaking electrification projects. SPUR recommends electrifying buildings without touching the electrical panel or service.

CONCLUSION
This report is respectfully submitted to show that the zero- NOx rules under consideration by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121, are not only technically feasible, but are in fact the most affordable and equitable way to eliminate the health hazards from Nitrogen Oxides by upgrading space heating and water heating appliances as they reach end of life.
82 Sam Fishman et al., “ Solving the Panel Puzzle | SPUR,” San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association ( SPUR), May 13, 2024, https:// www. spur. org/ publications/ policy- brief/ 2024- 05- 14/ solving- panel- puzzle .

Comments welcome:
[email protected]
Phasing Out Residential Appliance Emissions:

Households and Businesses CAN Afford this Change - Here’ s Why March, 2025

You don't often get email from david@climateactioncampaign. org. Learn why this is important Date: 4/7/2025 3:48:59 PM
From:" David Martinez" david@climateactioncampaign. org To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Cc:

Ashleigh Aitken" [email protected], " Norma C. Kurtz" NKurtz@anahe im.net, "Ryan Balius" [email protected], "Carlos A. Leon" [email protected], "Natalie Rubalcava" [email protected], Kristen Maahs" [email protected], "Natalie Meeks" [email protected] Subject:[ EXTERNAL] OPPOSE Item 17 - SCAQMD Resolution
Attachment: OPPOSE Item 17.pdf;
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Hello,
Please find attached Climate Action Campaign' s letter opposing Item 17.

Best,
David Martinez
OC Climate Equity Advocate and Organizer
Climate Action Campaign
619) 419-1222 ext. 708
Like what we do? Support Climate Action Campaign today.

Our mission is simple: create a zero carbon future through effective and equitable policy action
7 April 2025
Members of the Anaheim City Council
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA
via Email
SUBJECT: Oppose Agenda Item 17 – Support Clean Air and Public Health Dear Members of the Anaheim City Council,
On behalf of Climate Action Campaign, we urge you to oppose Agenda Item 17, a resolution that would formalize Anaheim’ s opposition to South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.

These rules are essential to protecting public health and advancing clean air goals across Orange County by reducing harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from gas appliances like furnaces and water heaters.

Electrifying these appliances with clean, high-efficiency alternatives is a critical step toward addressing the region’s severe air pollution crisis.

According to the American Lung Association, Orange County ranks first in the nation for high ozone days among 228 metropolitan areas. Ozone pollution, which forms when NOx mixes with volatile organic compounds in sunlight, is directly linked to asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious health issues. In Orange County alone, it contributes to 76,000 asthma attacks, 130 premature deaths, and $2 billion in health-related costs every year.

Contrary to what the resolution implies, SCAQMD’s updated proposal does not ban gas appliances or force residents to replace them. The proposed rules target manufacturers, not homeowners, and allow for a gradual, market-based transition that preserves consumer choice while phasing in cleaner technologies.

Moreover, there are significant financial incentives available to make this transition affordable. The federal High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) provides $4,000 to $8,000 in rebates, and the Go Zero program from SCAQMD offers an additional $ 1,500 for clean water heaters and heat pumps. These incentives help ensure that low- and moderate-income residents can benefit from healthier homes without added financial strain. Additionally, the Socioeconomic Impact Assessment prepared by SCAQMD on the proposed rules found that there would be millions of dollars in savings annually from lower energy bills.

This resolution undermines a policy that has been revised to address economic concerns and is now more equitable and flexible than ever. Instead of opposing sensible air quality improvements, Anaheim should be leading the way toward a cleaner, healthier future—especially for communities already burdened by pollution and health disparities.

We respectfully urge you to vote NO on Agenda Item 17. Let’s prioritize clean air, public health, and energy equity for all Anaheim residents.

Sincerely,
David Martinez
Orange County Climate Equity Advocate and Organizer
Climate Action Campaign
From: Chantal Moreno <camoreno@a esd.org >
Sent : Monday, April 7, 2025 4:02 PM
To : Carlos A. Leon <CLeon@anaheim. net>
Cc : Jesus Chavarria <jchavarria@aes d.org>
Subject : [EXTERNAL ] Fwd: Draft Letter of Support - Welcoming City Warning: This email originated from outside the City
of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are
expecting the message.

Good afternoon Councilmember Leon,
Attached please find the letter of support from Anaheim Elementary.

Thank you,
Chantal
Chantal Moreno
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Superintendent' s Office
1001 S. East Street, Anaheim, CA 92805
Office 714-517-7510 Ext: 4001
Email Disclaimer: This communication, including attachments, is protectedunder theElectronic Communication Privacy Act (18 USCA 2510). It may contain confidential or legally privileged information for theintended recipient(s) only. Unauthorized interception, use, or disclosure is prohibited bylaw.

You don't often get email from Learn why this is important Date: 4/7/2025 5:05:04 PM
From:" Marissa Moore-Class"
To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] 4/8 City Council Meeting Public Comment Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Dear Mayor Aitken & Honorable City Council Members,
I am writing to voice my profound support for the reaffirming of the Welcoming City resolution which firmly establishes Anaheim as a place that respects the dignity of all people and promotes an environment that fosters inclusion for residents. This designation is a symbol of the importance of acknowledging the history and impact that immigrants have had on the development and culture of Anaheim.

I am writing to especially emphasize the importance of city officials upholding their responsibility to maintain public safety for all residents and visitors regardless of their citizenship status through protecting privacy of residents in accordance with state and federal laws and by keeping families together.

There is no greater moment than this for this council to stand in firm support of affirming the safety and dignity of immigrant communities in Anaheim.

Thank you,
Marissa Moore
Some people who received this message don't often get email from madisson@anaheimpa. com. Learn why this is important Date: 4/8/2025 10:00:00 AM
From:" Madisson Romero Alarcon" madisson@anaheimpa. com To:" Theresa Bass" [email protected], " Public Comment" publiccomme nt@anahe im.net Cc:" Jose Duran" president@anaheimpa. com, "Gaby Sutter" gaby@anahe impa.com Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Letter of Support for Resolution Reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City Attachment: Letter of Support for Resolution Reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City.docx; Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Dear Ms. Bass,
I hope you’re doing well! My name is Madisson Romero Alarcon, and I’mreaching out on behalf of the Anaheim Police Association and our president, Jose Duran.

I’ve attached a letter of support that reaffirms Anaheim’ s commitment to being a welcoming city for immigrant and refugee families. We hope it highlights our ongoing dedication to making Anaheim an inclusive and supportive place for everyone in our community.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’mhappy to help! Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,
Madisson Romero Alarcón
Administrative Assistant
Anaheim Police Association
3160 E. La Palma Ave., Ste A
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.635.0272
April 8, 2025
The Honorable Ashleigh Aitken
Mayor of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA 92805
Members of the Anaheim City Council
Anaheim City Hall
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA 92805
Dear Mayor Aitken and Honorable Members of the City Council, This letter is submitted in strong support of Item #18, a resolution reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City— a place where residents and their families can feel a deep sense of belonging, safety, and pride. In a time when communities across the nation are striving to define their values, this resolution affirms that Anaheim remains committed to being a city that welcomes all, while upholding public safety as one of its highest priorities.

For the thousands of immigrants and refugees who call Anaheim home, this designation sends a clear and reassuring message: that their contributions are recognized, their presence is valued, and their families are part of the social and economic fabric that makes this city stronger. The city’ s diverse population has long played a critical role in driving innovation, supporting local businesses, and enriching the community’ s cultural identity.

At the same time, Anaheim is a world- class destination, welcoming millions of visitors each year from across the globe. The city’s commitment to being a welcoming place extends beyond its residents, shaping the experience of travelers who come to enjoy its offerings. Ensuring that everyone, whether here for a day or a lifetime, feels safe and respected is key to sustaining Anaheim’ s reputation as a city open to all.

Public safety remains central to this commitment. The city' s leadership has continued to invest in measures that ensure neighborhoods, public spaces, and visitor areas are safe and secure for everyone. Reaffirming its status as a Welcoming City reinforces the idea that safety and inclusion are not competing priorities— they are shared goals that strengthen the entire community.

This resolution reflects thoughtful leadership and a forward- looking vision for the future of Anaheim. It is an important step in continuing to build trust, support families, and celebrate the diversity that defines the city and encourage full support of this resolution
Sincerely,
Jose Duran, President
Anaheim Police Association
You don't often get email from guerrero_ jessica@auhsd. us. Learn why this is important Date: 4/8/2025 11:11:00 AM
From:" Guerrero, Jessica" [email protected]
To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Letter of Support - Welcoming City Resolution Attachment: Welcoming City_Support Letter.pdf;
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Hello,
Please see attached letter of support for Agenda Item #18 - Welcoming City Resolution.

Thank you,
Jessica Guerrero
AUHSD Board of Trustees
https:// www.auhsd.us/ District/department/14423-STEAMAPAL OOZA Anaheim Union High School District
E-mail Confidentiality Notice
This e-mail communication and any attachments, including documents, files, or previous e-mail messages, constitute electronic communications within the scope of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq. This e-mail communication may contain non-public, confidential or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated recipient( s). The unauthorized and intentional interception, use, copy or disclosure of such information, or attempt to do so, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful under applicable laws. 18 U.S.C. § 2511. If you have received this e-mail communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the original e-mail from your system.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ OFFICE
Anaheim Union High School District | 501 N. Crescent Way | Anaheim, CA 92801 | ( 714) 999 -3503 April 8, 2025
Anaheim City Council
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA 92805
Subject: Letter of Support for Resolution Reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City Dear Honorable Members of the Anaheim City Council,
As Trustee for the Anaheim Union High School District, I am writing to express my strong support for Agenda Item #18, a resolution reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City —a place where all residents and their families can experience a deep sense of belonging, safety, and pride. In a time when communities nationwide are defining their values, this resolution reaffirms Anaheim’s commitment to being a city that welcomes all, while prioritizing public safety.

For the thousands of immigrants, refugees, and undocumented students who call Anaheim home, this resolution sends a clear and reassuring message: their contributions are valued, their presence is recognized, and their families are integral to the social and economic fabric that strengthens our city.

In December 2024, the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees passed the Providing All Children Equal Access to Education" resolution. This reaffirmed our commitment to providing a safe and inclusive educational environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status. To further support our undocumented students and families, the district has hosted several "Know Your Rights" forums in collaboration with our community schools, offering essential resources and support. These efforts reflect our dedication to the well-being and success of every student in our district.

Both the City’s and the school district’s resolutions work hand in hand to foster an environment where all individuals—regardless of immigration status—can feel safe, supported, and empowered to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Anaheim. This resolution is a vital step in building trust, supporting families, and celebrating the diversity that defines our Anaheim community. I wholeheartedly encourage full support of this resolution.

Sincerely,
Jessica Guerrero
Clerk, AUHSD Board of Trustees
AUHSD Trustee, Area 1
Some people who received this message don't often get email from richard. santana@ocgov. com. Learn why this is important Date: 4/8/2025 2:24:55 PM
From:" Santana, Richard" richard.santana@ocgov. com
To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net, "Ashleigh Aitken" AAitken@anahe im.net Cc:" Goebel, Yasie" yasie.goebel@ocgov. com, "City Manager" Citymanage [email protected] Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Request to Circulate Letter of Support – Item 18: Welcoming City Resolution Attachment: Letter of Support for Resolution Reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City.pdf; Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

De ar Cle rk of the Counci l ,
I hope thi s me ssage finds you well. On behal f of Orange County Supe rvi sor Vicente Sarmi ento, I kindl y reque st that the attache d lette r of support be circul ate d to al l members of the Anaheim City Council regardi ng Busine ss Cale ndar: Ite m 18 – Re solution reaffirming Anahe im as a Welcoming City.

Thank you for your time and assi stance in shari ng this with the Council.

Warm regards,
Richard Santana
E-mail correspondence, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act; and as such may be subject to public disclosure unless otherwise exempt under the Act.

From: Guerrero, Jessica <Jessica.Guerrero@ocgov. com>
Sent : Tuesday, April 8, 2025 2:33 PM
To : Carlos A. Leon <CLeon@anaheim. net>
Cc : Jabbar, Al <Al.Jabbar@ocgov. com>
Subject : [EXTERNAL ] RE: Draft Letter of Support - Welcoming City Resolution Warning: This email originated from outside the City
of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are
expecting the message.

He llo Councilme mbe r Le on,
On be half of Chai r Doug Chaff ee , please see attache d letter in support of the City of Anahe im’ s We lcomi ng City Re sol uti on.

Thank you,
Je ssi ca
Jessi ca Guerrero, MPP
Se nior Policy Advis or
Inte rns hip Program Dire ctor
Office of Chair Doug Chaffee
Fourth District
400 W. Civic Center Dr.,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Office: 714- 834- 3440

DOUG CHAFFEE

CHAIR, ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

SUPERVISOR, FOURTH DISTRICT

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH
400 W. CIVIC CENTER DR.

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701
PHONE ( 714) 834-3440
Anaheim City Council
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim, CA 92805
Subject: Letter of Support for Resolution Reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City Dear Members of the Anaheim City Council,
As Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I submit this letter in strong support for the Anaheim City Council Agenda Item #18, a resolution reaffirming Anaheim as a Welcoming City—a place where residents and their families can feel a deep sense of belonging, safety, and pride. In a time when communities across the nation are striving to define their values, this resolution affirms that Anaheim remains committed to being a city that welcomes all, while upholding public safety as one of its highest priorities.

For the thousands of immigrants and refugees who call Anaheim home, this designation sends a clear and reassuring message: that their contributions are recognized, their presence is valued, and their families are part of the social and economic fabric that makes this city stronger. The city’ s diverse population has long played a critical role in driving innovation, supporting local businesses, and enriching the community’ s cultural identity.

At the same time, Anaheim is a world- class destination, welcoming millions of visitors each year from across the globe. The city’ s commitment to being a welcoming place extends beyond its residents, shaping the experience of travelers who come to enjoy its offerings. Ensuring that everyone— whether here for a day or a lifetime— feels safe and respected is key to sustaining Anaheim’ s reputation as a city open to all.

Public safety remains central to this commitment. The city's leadership has continued to invest in measures that ensure neighborhoods, public spaces, and visitor areas are safe and secure for everyone.

Reaffirming its status as a Welcoming City reinforces the idea that safety and inclusion are not competing priorities— they are shared goals that strengthen the entire community.

This resolution reflects thoughtful leadership and a forward- looking vision for the future of Anaheim. It is an important step in continuing to build trust, support families, and celebrate the diversity that defines the City of Anaheim.

Sincerely,
Doug Chaffee
Chair, Orange County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor, Orange County Fourth District
You don't often get email from aochoa@occord. org. Learn why this is important Date: 4/8/2025 3:01:26 PM
From:" Angeles Ochoa Carmona" [email protected]
To:" Public Comment" [email protected]
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] 04/08/25 Meeting Item #18 Public Comment Attachment: Council meeting 04_08 Item18 Public Comment.pdf; Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Please see attached.

A n g e le s O c h o a C a rm o n a
D ig ita l O rg a n ize r
aochoa@occord .org
www .occord .org
1505 E 17th St, Suite 122 , Santa Ana , CA 92705
Good evening Mayor and Council Members,
My name is Angeles Ochoa, and I serve as the Digital Organizer with OCCORD. I come from an immigrant family and have spent my life surrounded by immigrant communities—communities full of resilience, love, and perseverance. Their experiences are deeply personal to me, which is why I’m submitting this public comment, to urge the Council to prioritize meaningful action for the immigrant families who call Anaheim home.

I’m writing in strong support of Agenda Item 18—the resolution reaffirming Anaheim’s designation as a Welcoming City.

Although I didn’t grow up in Anaheim, as an organizer, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with families who call this city home. In every corner of Anaheim, you can see the impact of immigrant communities— families running local businesses, students juggling school and family responsibilities, and neighbors showing up for one another. The languages spoken, the cultures celebrated, and the resilience shared across generations all reflect just how deeply immigrants are rooted in the fabric of this city.

Anaheim’s identity and strength are tied to the contributions of immigrant families who have made this place their home.

But despite this legacy, too many families continue to live in fear. As someone who works closely with residents in Anaheim, I hear firsthand how community members—especially those in mixed-status families—are hesitant to call the police, seek healthcare, or even access basic city services because they’re unsure of the city's stance on immigration.

Just some time ago, after the Chief of Police released a video reaffirming the department’s commitment to protect everyone regardless of immigration status, a resident still reached out to me, confused and concerned about the city and police department’s stance on federal immigration policies. That really highlighted for me how much more needs to be done—especially for people who don’t have regular access to social media or online platforms, which are often the main ways information is shared.

Ironically, these are often the very people who most need access to resources and protections.

Nonprofits are stepping in by hosting Know Your Rights forums, Power of Attorney clinics, and citizenship workshops—but what is the City doing? It shouldn’tfall only on community organizations to fill these gaps. If Anaheim is truly committed to being a Welcoming City, we need intentional, consistent, and accessible outreach from the city itself to make sure all residents— not just the most connected— feel safe, informed, and supported.

Agenda Item 18 sends a clear and important message: Anaheim is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of race, place of origin, or immigration status. It reaffirms that the City has no role in federal immigration enforcement, will continue protecting resident privacy, and is dedicated to maintaining accessible city services and inclusive communication efforts across languages and communities.

This resolution matters. It matters for the families I speak to who are worried about being separated. It matters for students who go to school every day anxious about what they’ ll come home to. And it matters for the future of Anaheim—because a city where everyone feels safe and included is a city that thrives.

I urge the City Council to pass Agenda Item 18 and continue standing with Anaheim’s immigrant communities—not just in words, but in action.

Thank you.

From: Cobian, Connie <[email protected] >
Sent : Tuesday, April 8, 2025 3:25 PM
To : Carlos A. Leon <CLeon@anaheim. net>
Cc : Anthony Luna <[email protected]>
Subject : [EXTERNAL ] Letter of Support
You don' t often get email from cobian_ c@auhsd. us. Learn why this is important Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Good Afternoon,
Please find the letter of support attached.

Thank you.

Connie Cobian, Senior Exec utive Assist ant to
Mic hael B. Mat suda, Superint endent
Anaheim Union High Sc hool Distric t
501 N. Cresc ent Way, Anaheim, CA 92801
Offic e: 714- 999- 3502 Fax: 714- 535- 1706
Email: cobian_ c@auhsd. us
People will forget what you said . They might even forget what you did . But , they will never forget how you made them feel .” -Maya Angelou
https:// www.auhsd.us/ District/department/14423-STEAMAPAL OOZA Anaheim Union High School District
E-mail Confidentiality Notice
This e-mail communication and any attachments, including documents, files, or previous e-mail messages, constitute electronic communications within the scope of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq. This e-mail communication may contain non-public, confidential or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated recipient(s). The unauthorized and intentional interception, use, copy or disclosure of such information, or attempt to do so, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful under applicable laws. 18 U.S.C. § 2511. If you have received this e-mail communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the original e-mail fromyour system.

Date: 3/26/2025 8:14:19 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Criminal at Bank Fullerton
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://www.facebook. com/reel/628156583472170? sfnsn=mo& mibextid= 6AJuK9 Date: 3/26/2025 6:26:12 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "#SlaveforMAN" onYouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/GU__nDaaQB4? si=G_Y7gVBhopZS3w1T Date: 3/26/2025 6:38:11 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# whiteManHater" on YouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/asO1FqBjrY0? si=SDDGEbUe3jPT3r6_ Date: 3/26/2025 9:10:34 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "#Driving #No #License/Child Support" onYouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtu.be/ldkmZWbUeT0? si=Oy7XA3G2tvhKFEpJ
Date: 3/28/2025 10:33:45 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# Revenge, Corona,Ca." on YouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/Jy9RYpXynSE? si=zYHOCimQDyGI0iHK Date: 3/28/2025 4:15:39 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# IDontCARE" onYouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/TycWqlojUZU? si=GYDUen745EOfOnC6 Date: 3/29/2025 8:51:39 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Pigs in the Courthousel
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https:// m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0JHeZEJg8BwPtYjp8wUfgQupiDgdafPS4FP1LZAYDArmUFsAsuuam9agmu267g3Wel& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= 6aamW6 Date: 3/29/2025 10:44:04 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] California
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://www.facebook. com/reel/2716283151895132/? sfnsn=mo& mibextid= 6AJuK9 Date: 3/29/2025 8:17:31 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# GregLaurie" on YouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtu.be/nEFmkg5eMzA? si=QZkfu5_rL3mdmK2K
Date: 3/29/2025 8:29:27 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# GregLaurie part2" on YouTube Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/nG3nOw- 3bgQ?si=_HYcYlNL- dRgi8pX Date: 3/30/2025 6:33:42 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Alibi BRO?!....$
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0XZoGCkhttmaL5oGGJi5NMJ9AYUS4Xc7KhjmakdzpwSYhxWecFmzWwLNQbn81AWgdl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn=mo& mibextid=VhDh1V Date: 3/30/2025 6:38:36 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# Alibi?" onYouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/BE7ODA3ETQY? si=x_Z X19OqMSrvEYR7 Date: 3/30/2025 8:42:28 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] #Forgiven HUH LOL
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/watch?v=Jax4AKreHWg& si=kXkUh_yYZfuavGIm Date: 4/2/2025 5:16:12 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Bless your ENEMY LOL
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid= pfbid0xdViTQYMnBBP5dgiSSeGwTtE5uapHTrmG1JCchyf1x6Xks5rSV4HXXABTSFyLCeWl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/2/2025 10:16:39 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# Afraid Of Gays, Greg Laurie" on YouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/Ly5mv4- 4L_U?si=ANUI-HBxCMwwTX9e Date: 4/2/2025 11:50:22 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] # Police Brotherhood
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0zqANxKpu3SbAmHAoNf4wUBjqRtepFJGxxzxWZKetnENsBewT6ACZaA4rVPQFJGJgl& id=100094259 776148& sfnsn=mo& mibextid= VhDh1V
Date: 4/3/2025 12:09:42 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
Cc:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] FALSE ARREST , CORUPT POLICE, SYSTEM Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0vbspcNLBmB5qb6RcbwweYzAS61KxvDAbPYx6JeANQaooS25hM5X96ujPpcoqyXfNl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/3/2025 7:26:23 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Killing u we the people
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid023FcAgC4AmLy9awHgJwM7tbfKPDpRgbnPyva2VwpjCsf9tJCaWXZryy1ijZuUWFnhl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/3/2025 8:41:38 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] #Save Ladies On Earth
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0656Xe3S3on5kKGC7RvWaj26SBJGfMnNNs1ZZM8W61Gy3D2a9pGX8jcxdUMJd5ez5l& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/3/2025 4:02:07 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
Cc:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "#Shame OnYou Men of God Lol" onYouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/KbiFY0Iz7OY? si=eqm3XXBnFazgTsYz Date: 4/4/2025 3:36:17 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# yourA Real Man,Daddy,Papi,papa, Homie, Dude" on YouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/dyoHJXW5jBA? si=By-j3HeihHAok3rR Date: 4/4/2025 3:59:50 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] # 2019 Nissan Rogue
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid0239vpCtSzL3dQdE29UHq2FxPfe4DYHuje21RRd1bvXKPrUnhqPZxLJCzT391LRjsBl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/4/2025 4:42:17 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "#No Is piercing ot tattos God's Word" onYouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtu.be/w_kZY5AK4Gg? si=3Qf7vD8mGzA0TggH
Date: 3/26/2025 2:07:18 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Trump turns homelessness response toward forced treatment Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Trump turns homelessness response toward forced treatment - https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/trump- turns- homelessness- response- toward- forced- treatment/ ar-AA1BGmvf?ocid=socialshare Date: 3/26/2025 5:32:27 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Panorama City man used social media to entice minors for sexual activities, police say Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Panorama City man used social media to entice minors for sexual activities, police say https://www.latimes. com/california/ story/2025- 03-26/panorama- city-man-used- social-media- to-entice- minors- for-sexual- activities- police- say The 37-year- old allegedly used Instagram and Snapchat to contact several minors, some as young as 12 years old, to solicit sexual activities, police said.

Date: 3/28/2025 9:56:42 AM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Fwd: One Year of MAMA!
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Forwarded message ---------
From: Craig ADurfey <
Date: Fri, Mar 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Subject: Fwd: One Year of MAMA!
To: Craig A Durfey < Maureen Blackmun <
Forwarded message ---------
From: Mothers Against Media Addiction <info@wearemama. org> Date: Fri, Mar 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Subject: One Year of MAMA!
To: CRAIG A DURFEY <
MAMAs with Sen. Andrew Gounardes in Albany, NY, last year supporting supporting nation- leading social media legislation.

Dear CRAIG,
One year ago, we launched MAMA with a bold vision: to rally parents and allies to fight back against media addiction and create a world where real- life experienc es and interac tions remain at the heart of a healthy childhood. We started with the goal of establishing six chapters in our first year; today , we have 32 chapters in 18 states, with a growing waitlist, including requests for international expansion.

Together, we’ve built a powerful movement. In just one year:

We engaged in state legislation from Colorado to Florida and have helped pass legislation in New York to combat addictive soc ial media feeds and protec t kids online.

We mobilized parents, teachers, and advocates to take ac tion in support of the federal Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).

We’re at the forefront of the growing movement to ban soc ial media and personal smart phones not just during class time but from “ bell-tobell” during the school day.

Our national platform has grown to a community of over 10,000 parents and advocates nationwide who are dedicated to raising public awareness, demanding safeguards, and mobilizing grassroots ac tion to protect children’ s right to acquire the basic building blocks for social and emotional health, and academic flourishing.

MAMA has gained national recognition and is leading the conversation in media outlets like CBS, AP News, The Washington Post, Oprah, Psychology Today, The Information, Pivot, NPR, and more.

MAMA spokespeople and champions are in-demand experts at events like the World Economic Forum, press conferences, teachers’ conferences, and school board meetings.

Our Expert Insights Series features some of the most influential voices tackling social media’ s impact on children' s mental health, including bestselling author Jonathan Haidt, Meta whistleblowers Arturo Béjar and Yaël Eisenstat, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torr es, and Laura Marquez - Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center, and many more.

And our Chapter Leaders are making waves in their communities and gaining attention across the country from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh to Florida.

It’s not an “ error” when serving up damaging content to people— including kids and teens— is a key part of your business model. An apology is meaningless if you refuse to do anything about the broken system that warranted it. Until Big Tech is ready to take actual responsibility and action for the harms their products created, MAMA will continue to stand up for our kids.

This is just the beginning. Thank you for being part of this fight. Here’ s to another year of impac t, growth, and advocacy— because our kids are worth it.

With gratitude,
Julie Scelfo, Founder, MAMA
News You Need
The MAMA team's first "IRL" moment together in New York City this week ! This week, MAMA' s core team gathered in the Big Apple to team- build and fine-tune our ongoing strategy to defend childhood from Big Tec h.

Team members traveled from Virginia, New Mexico, North Carolina and even Puerto Rico for two days of in-person meetings — and some fun.

Highlights inc luded a field trip to Jonathan Haidt' s talk at PS 3 in Manhattan hosted by MAMA Manhattan Chapter Leader, Sar a Hirschler; multic ultural snacking; plus team huddles at the beautiful new Brookly n Heights Public Library. Spoiler alert: our wonderful new community managers, Kimona Dussard and Austin Hahn, were able to join us. It was an inspiring two days and we can't wait to offic ially introduc e them to the MAMA community!
Google is fac ing lawsuits over its $2.7 billion investment in Character. AI, despite urgent warnings from its own researchers last year about the dangers of AI chatbots manipulating minors, leading to self- harm and even suicide.

Meta claims its recent flood of disturbing content was just an " error," but users say AI- generated shock videos and violent posts are still infiltrating their feeds and their children' s feeds — even with parental controls on.

Educator and author Emily Cherkin, ( who was featured on our Expert Insights Series in February with addiction expert Dr. Jim Winston), is suing PowerSchool and IXL Learning on behalf of parents for allegedly harvesting sensitive data from children and families without consent, violating privac y and consumer rights— all under the guise of educ ation.

In a wise new essay for LitHub, Lisa Catherine Harper, an author and essay ist who teac hes high school in Silicon Valley , explores how two of Nathaniel Hawthorne’ s 19th- century tales offer a timely warning about the dangers of excessive faith in technology— a conc ern that her students already understand.

Three months after a 16-year- old teenager in Olympia, Washington, died after buy ing fentanyl- laced drugs on Snapchat, the Olympia Police Department kicked off a new campaign to warn parents about the deadly dangers of social media drug deals.

Reminder: in the last five years, fentanyl overdoses have bec ome a leading cause of death for minors, a crisis fueled by soc ial media.

Acc ording to Paul DelPonte, Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Council ( or NCPC), “ Snapchat has become a digital open- air drug market.” In 2023, NCPC urged the U.S. Dept. of Justic e to investigate social media companies for playing a part in the illegal facilitation of fentanyl.

This week Instagram rolled out a new “ School Partnership Program” that promises partic ipating schools will have their reports of harmful posts, including bully ing, “ prioritized” for review. In exchange, schools must open their own Instagram account and receive a banner on their profile “ so parents and students know they’ re an offic ial Instagram partner” — a dangerous de facto endorsement — despite the known harms of the platform.

As noted by the online newspaper TechCrunch, Instagram’ s “Sc hool Partnership Program” comes as U.S. Senators advance the Kids Off Soc ial Media Ac t (KOSMA), which seeks to ban soc ial media ac cess for kids under 13. In February, the Senate Committee on Commerce approved the bill. The U.S. Senate has also passed two related bills: the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act 2.0 (COPPA 2.0), which MAMA hopes will be taken up in the next legislative session.

Instagram’ s (alarming) press release also touts giving parents “ easy way s to block their teens from using Instagram during school hours.” Notic eably absent: Instagram itself simply blocking kids and teens from using Instagram during school hours. Also absent: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, a father, joining with Pinterest CEO Bill Ready to support a nationwide bell-to-bell ban on personal smartphones during school, which would more significantly ease schoolday cyberbullying and reduce the burden on teachers and parents.

Big Tech continues to put profits over children’ s safety— but together, we’re fighting back . With the support of parents and advocates like you, MAMA is leading a powerful, nationwide movement to protect kids from online harms.

Your gift today will help us meet the overwhelming demand for new MAMA chapters, equip parents with the tools to push for phone- free schools, and ensure lawmak ers hear our voices loud and clear.

Become a monthly sustaining donor now to fuel this growing movement and create a safer, healthier future for children.

DONATE
Mothers Against Media Addiction, Inc.
700 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10025
United States
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Date: 3/28/2025 9:01:25 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Screen time before bed linked to poorer sleep inadults – study Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Screen time before bed linked to poorer sleep in adults – study - https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/screen-time- before- bed-linked- to-poorer- sleep- in-adults- study/ar-AA1BMia6? ocid=socialshare Date: 3/28/2025 9:06:58 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Education Department halts final payouts of federal pandemic relief funds Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Education Department halts final payouts of federal pandemic relief funds - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ education- department- halts- final-payouts- of-federal- pandemic- relief-funds/ar-AA1BSulU? ocid=socialshare
Date: 3/28/2025 9:23:00 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Trump turns homelessness response toward forced treatment Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Trump turns homelessness response toward forced treatment - https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/trump- turns- homelessness- response- toward- forced- treatment/ ar-AA1BGmvf?ocid=socialshare Date: 4/1/2025 8:53:33 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Ontario Making ItEasier to Enter Skilled Trades Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://news.ontario. ca/en/release/ 1004514/ ontario- making- it-easier- to-enter- skilled- trades Date: 4/2/2025 2:32:45 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Goodbye to social media for minors? This state introduced a bill to require the consent of a parent Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Goodbye to social media for minors? This state introduced a bill to require the consent of a parent - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ goodbye- to-social-media- for-minors- this- state- introduced- a-bill-to-requirethe-consent- of-a-parent/ar-AA1C8Djz?ocid=socialshare Date: 4/4/2025 10:40:42 AM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] [your]NEWS: RFK Jr. Pushes for Cellphone Ban inSchools, Citing Health and Academic Risks Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Link: https://yournews. com/2025/03/23/3321292/rfk-jr-pushes- for-cellphone- ban-in-schools- citing-health/ Date: 4/4/2025 1:35:23 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Schools told to certify end of DEI or else Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://enewspaper. ocregister. com/infinity/article_popover_ share.aspx?guid= 6a628edc- 72e3- 4e5b- afc7- 0e4c8f8bcb7e& share= true Date: 3/28/2025 12: 19: 35 PM
From:" Rep. Lou Correa" repcorrea@mail8. housecommunications. gov To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Taking the pulse of our community.

Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Hello,
I’m proud to share with you that one of my bills passed the House of Representatives with unanimous, bipartisan support just earlier this month. The Emerging Innovative Border Techn ologies Act would look into investing in cutting- edge technology to help officers stop drug trafficking and human smuggling—instead of an ineffective and wasteful border wall. These tools could also help officers rescue migrants who are crossing in dangerous, remote places. I look forw ard to seeing this bill pass the Senate and make its way to President Trump’ s desk. As I continue to bring your voice to our nation’ s capital, I’d like to take a moment to show you what I’ve been working on.

HO ST ING COMMUNIT Y CO NVERSAT IO NS
Over the past three months, the Trump Administration has threatened cut s on several essential federal programs that Orange County residents depend on. From Social Security to the VA to Medicare and Medicaid, our seniors, veterans, and neighbors are all at risk. That’ s why I’ve hosted several “ Community Conversations” around our cities on these topics—I want to hear from you and keep you up to date with the latest from Washington. That’ s also why you can find me around our district at “Know Your Rights” events, where I encourage our immigrant community to continue following the law while protecting themselves and their families.

Will you be affected by these program cuts or by another federal policy change? Our best weapon to defend our community is the truth, and it’s my job to take your stories to Washington and fight the good fight on behalf of all of us. You can share your story with me at one of my events, or through my website HERE.

Rep. Correa hosts a Community Conversation on healthcare issues

KEEPING OUR COMMUNIT Y SAFE
The safety of our communities is no place for partisan politics, and we should all work together to make sure our frontline officers have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs. As the top Democrat on the Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, I emphasized the need to address staffing shortages at our ports-of-entry and find new ways to fight the smuggling of fentanyl into our neighborhoods. Slashing Homeland Security Department resources and focusing on deporting our long-term immigrant community is wrong—and mixed- status families, veterans, and even sick children are getting caught in the crosshairs of these reckless policies. Here in Congress, I won’t stop fighting for common- sense solutions that protect everyone in our communities.

Rep. Correa speaks in a Homeland Security Committee hearing

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHO OL ART IST S
Art is more than a creative outlet—it’s a way to tell your story, share your perspective, and celebrate the community we call home. I’m excited to invite all high school students across our district to participate in this year’ s Congressional Art Competition! One talented student will have the opportunity to represent our district in Washington, D.C., as their artwork is displayed in the U.S.

Capitol. The winner will also be invited to a special ceremony alongside other young artists from across the country. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 17th, at my Santa Ana District Office. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, more information is available HERE.

As always, I am committed to serving you, advocating for issues that mat ter to our community, and connecting you to important resources. If you are experiencing any issues with a federal agency, my office is here to help. Give us a call at (714) 559-6190.

Sincerely,
Rep. Lou Correa
Member of Congress
Sign up for my newsletter to get updates on this issue and others! Sign Up!
Visit my website to learn more!
correa. house. gov
Contact Me
Washington D.C.
2082 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202) 225- 2965
Santa Ana
Rancho Santiago
Community College Building
2323 N. Broadway, Suite 319
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714) 559- 6190
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Date: 4/4/2025 2:15: 19 PM
From:" Rep. Lou Correa" repcorrea@mail8. housecommunications. gov To:" Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim. net
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Representing Orange County in the nation’ s capital.

Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Hello,
Too many of our men and women in uniform return home with invisible wounds after their military service—and we owe it to them to provide the support they've earned. That ’s why, as co-chairs of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies ( PATH) Caucus, Rep. Jack Bergman ( R-MI) and I introduced the bipartisan Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act, which would increase federally funded research on innovative therapies to treat veterans’ invisible wounds, like PTSD. Our veterans deserve real solutions, not more of the same—and I’m proud to be leading this effort to get them the care they need. As I continue to bring your voice to our nation’ s capital, I’d like to take a moment to show you what I’ve been working on.

HO STING OC ST UDE NTS IN DC
This week, I had the privilege of welcoming the Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets back to Washington, D.C., for a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Led by Master Sergeant Carlos Mata ( USMC, Ret.), these cadets came ready to learn how the policies we make in Washingt on impact lives on Main Street back home. These students were even able to meet several other Members of Congress representing Arizona, Pennsylvania, and more. They might be young, but these bright cadet s are the future of our community and country.

Rep. Correa and OHS MCJ ROTC cadets outside the U.S. Capitol I also had the privilege to host the Santa Ana High School Girls’ Wrestling Team in my D.C. office. This year, these hard- working athletes dominated the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Dual Meet championship— securing their first historic victory for their team, their high school, and our community. Their achievement shows their dedication and drive, and we are proud of them and their fantastic coaching staff!
Rep. Correa and the Santa Ana High girls wrestling team and coaches

ADVO CATING FOR COMMUNIT Y SAFE TY
As the top Democrat on the Border Security and Enforcement Subcommitt ee, I joined my colleagues for a critical hearing on the uses of drone technology to keep our communit y safe. I was able to ask DHS officials how we can use this technology to help first responders in wildfires and hurricanes, stop cartels from smuggling fentanyl across our border, and other important potential uses. However, we also need solutions to the problems that unchecked drone use can cause. It was especially great to see Orange County’ s own Chief Fetterman of the Orange County Fire Aut hority testifying before the committee on the use of drones in our own community. Here in Congress, I’ll keep fighting for common- sense policies that support first responders, invest in smart technology, and protect our neighborhoods.

Rep. Correa speaks during a hearing

UPDAT ING YOUR SOCIAL SECURIT Y INFO RM AT ION
Starting on Saturday, March 29th, the Social Security Administration ( SSA) began to require all users with mySSA accounts to switch to a new login system. If you’re using a legacy account, you’ ll need to create a Login. gov account or link your current ID.me credentials to continue accessing your Social Security benefits. But don’t worry—the process has been simplified to make the transition as smooth as possible. I encourage you to make this change before as soon as possible to avoid any interruptions in accessing your important services. For more details, click HERE or call my Santa Ana office.

CELE BRAT ING THE WOME N OF THE YEAR
In honor of Women’ s History Month, I am hosting my 6th annual “ Women of the Year” Aw ards to celebrate extraordinary women living, working, and bettering our community. If you know a remarkable woman who makes an impact in the business, community, education, health, or youth fields, please consider nominating them for an award. Together, we can recognize the exceptional women who help make Orange County the special place it is! You can make nominations HERE.

As always, I am committed to serving you, advocating for issues that mat ter to our community, and connecting you to important resources. If you are experiencing any issues with a federal agency, my office is here to help. Give us a call at (714) 559- 6190.

Sincerely,
Rep. Lou Correa
Member of Congress
Sign up for my newsletter to get updates on this issue and others! Sign Up!
Visit my website to learn more!
correa. house. gov
Contact Me
Washington D.C.
2082 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202) 225-2965
Santa Ana
Rancho Santiago
Community College Building
2323 N. Broadway, Suite 319
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714) 559-6190
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Un subscribe from futu re messages.

Date: 4/4/2025 6:01:33 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Sweet Revenge
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https:// m.facebook. com/story. php?
story_fbid=pfbid02yZfVAQuiLSAkLPgcHXqtAHuodjmQf93XgewhiWDEjZufYR8V2SzW1GUtpAzyjfA3l& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/5/2025 2:50:20 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# John 10:10 Nadia Soto" on YouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/tDA8guZM78A? si=jryoOIJGQhxEGHqy Date: 4/7/2025 8:55:25 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] #It's ASmall World
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://m.facebook. com/story.php?
story_fbid=pfbid02EqFZY1WjGzs2aMdP49eQaJP7KAgfwfoHwiCP2yDdreTqC4pG5UXhBkYYJNhVH81jl& id=100094259776148& sfnsn= mo& mibextid= VhDh1V Date: 4/5/2025 2:28:14 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[
EXTERNAL] Fwd: Dear President Trump Writing to request for consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October 20, 2021 by GGUSD 10331 Stanford Ave
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Forwarded message ---------
From: Craig ADurfey <
Date: Sun, Mar 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dear President Trump Writing to request for consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October 20, 2021 by GGUSD 10331 Stanford Ave
Forwarded message ---------
From: CRAIG DURFEY <
Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dear President Trump Writing to request for consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October 20, 2021 by GGUSD 10331 Stanford Ave
Forwarded message ---------
From: CRAIG DURFEY <
Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Subject: Fwd: Dear President Trump Writing to request for consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October 20, 2021 by GGUSD 10331 Stanford Ave
Forwarded message ---------
From: <
Date: Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 8:26PM
Subject: Dear President Trump Writing to request for consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October 20, 2021 by GGUSD 10331 Stanford Ave
P.R. D. D.C.)(

CHILDRENPARENTS PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELELOPMENTALLY OPMENTAL LY DISABLEDED CHIL DREN CRAIG A. DURFEYEY FOUNDER FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C.
42P. P.O.BOX 200101 GARDEN GROVE, CA 92884 2
COMSOCIALEMOTIONALPAWS. SOCIAL EMOTIONALPAWS. COM
DURFEYFACEBOOK: FACEBOOK: CRAIG DURFEY
U ..S. HOUSE OU SE OF CONGRESS GRESS H2 40 4 - HONORING HONORING CRAIG DURFEYDURFEY FOR HIS FIGHT IGHT AGAINST AGAINST AUTISM ... AU TISM ... Ms. ORETTALORETTA L SANCHEZSANCHEZ of Californ California. ia.
dfhttps:// https://www. goovinfo. fo .gov/v/content/ conte nt/pkg/ kg /CREC- 2003- 00 3-03-3-27/ 7/pdf/ df/CREC- 200 3-03-27.pdf new website orgsocialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. org DurfeyCraig Craig A Durfey
2001PO PO Box 2001
CAGarden Garden Grove CA
HouseThe The White House
NW1600 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
20500Washington, Washington, DC 20500
TranCongressman Congressman Derek Tran
OfficeWashington Washington DC Office
Building1127 1127 Longworth House Office Building
20515Washington, Washington, DC 20515
2415Phone: ( Phone: (202) 225-2415
TrumpDear Dear President Trump
2021Writing Writing to request request for consideration consideration help with my Civil rights taken from me since October October 20, 2021 by8120GGUSD GGUSD 10331 Stanford Stanford Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92840 Phone: ( Phone: (714) 663-6000 Board under 8120 policy denied written written public comment comment that requires requires must present present for a written written becauseby by email, because I’m having a medical medical issue then was unable to be present present and still have to unable to be present. present. religionThe The First Amendment Amendment provides provides that Congress Congress make no law respecting respecting an establishment establishment of religion toor or prohibiting prohibiting its free exercise. exercise. It protects protects freedom freedom of speech, speech, the press, assembly, assembly, and the right to petition petition the Government Government for a redress redress of grievances. grievances. SchoolwhenBoard Board takes an oath of office when civilsworn sworn into office, office, yet they create a policy to deny my first amendment amendment rights as well as my civil torights. rights. During these years was unable find help with my case schools schools learn to create policy to challenge them that one mustmostgo go through through a complaint complaint process, process, and one must decide to sue most can’t hire a lawyer with my situation situation no lawyer with take a case. 29On On October 29thth, 2024, contacted contacted U.S. Department Department of Education Education office Civil rights 50 United Nations Nations, McCaslandPlaza Plaza Mail room 1200 rom 1545 San Francisco Francisco Ca 94102 the Atty to contact contact is Gemini McCasland ofcase # case # 09-24-1825. Yet three years four months have passed when made contact contact with Dept of education education written/ written/phone call as to where my case would move forward forward the DeptCivilof of Education Civil GGUSDRights Rights refuse to respond respond to my phone messages, messages, one email, mean awhile unable to write GGUSD forschool school board meetings, meetings, request request assistance assistance logjam as well hold the school board accountable accountable for their action discrimination.
https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/ggusd-board-under-8120-policy- policy-denied- denied-written- written-public- publicthatcomment- comment-that YouThank Thank You
DurfeyCraig Craig A Durfey
Date: 4/5/2025 6:11:26 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[
EXTERNAL] Fwd: !!! PUBLIC COMENT Will local Government Children's Limit Screentime /Child Abuse Esports to recognize as child abuse fromscreentime, blue light.

Attachment: April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.pdf; Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Forwarded message ---------
From: <
Date: Sat, Apr 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Subject: !!! PUBLIC COMENT Will local Government Children's Limit Screentime/ Child Abuse Esports to recognize as child abuse from screentime, blue light.
04-05-2025
Puublic bl tComment Commen
P.R. D. D.C.)(

CHILDRENPARENTS PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELELOPMENTALLY OPMENTAL LY DISABLEDED CHIL DREN CRAIG A. DURFEYEY FOUNDER FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C.
42P. P.O.BOX 200101 GARDEN GROVE, CA 92884 2
COMSOCIALEMOTIONALPAWS. SOCIAL EMOTIONALPAWS. COM
DURFEYFACEBOOK: FACEBOOK: CRAIG DURFEY
U ..S. HOUSE OU SE OF CONGRESS GRESS H2 40 4 - HONORING HONORING CRAIG DURFEYDURFEY FOROR HIS FIGHT IG HT AGAINST AGAINST AUTISM ... AU TISM ... Ms. ORETTALORETTA L SANCHEZSANCHEZ of Californ California.ia.
dfhttps:// https:// www. goovinfo. fo .gov/v/content/ co nte nt/pkg/ kg /CREC- 2003- 00 3-03-3-27/ 7/pdf/ df/CREC- 200 3-03-27.pdf new website bsite orgsocialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. org KlopfensteinMayor Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein
Parkway11222 11222 Acacia Parkway
92840Garden Garden Grove, CA 92840
TaAssemblyman Assemblyman Ta
14361 Beach Boulevard, Suite 211,
0970Westminster, Westminster, CA 92683; (714) 379-0970
StricklandSenator Senator Tony Strickland
301 Main Street, Suite 212,
4000Huntington Huntington Beach, CA 92648; ( 92648; (714) 374-4000 TranCongressman Congressman Derek Tran
1006803 6803 International Ave., Suite 100
90630Cypress, Cypress, CA 90630
6483Phone: ( Phone: (714) 960-6483
CorreaCongressman Congressman Correa
BuildingRancho Rancho Santiago Community College Building 3192323 2323 N. Broadway, Suite 319
92706Santa Santa Ana, CA 92706
6190Phone: ( Phone: (714) 559-6190

JANET NGUYEN
Supervisor, First District
SupervisorsCounty County of Orange Board of Supervisors 92701400 400 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714) 834-3110(
comJanet. Janet.Nguyen@ocgov. com
concernTo To whom it may concern..

KlopfensteinDear Dear Mayor Klopfenstein
harmRequesting Requesting expanding expanding tonight’ tonight’s # 4 Proclamation Proclamation with stronger stronger language language about the know harm with social medial screen time, logarithm logarithm has very strong impact to a child brain developmentdevelopment harmknow know as brain Rot, City of Garden Grove has on 04-08-2025 this item has phrases phrases about harm thatthat item #4 for Adoption Adoption of a Proclamation Proclamation recognizing recognizing April as Sexual Assault Assault Awareness Awareness Month.

Action Item)129/2025 does not describe describe social media has been described described language language the effects effects( targetsfrom from social media as today Orange County Register Register report Increasingly Increasingly dangerous dangerous scam targets kids through sextortion 15792https:// https://agendasuite. agendasuite. org/iip/gardengrove/ gardengrove/ file/getfile/ getfile/15792 https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/increasingly- increasingly-dangerous- dangerous-scam-targets- targets-kids-through- throughsextortionsextortion . That U.S. Federal law . child' s mental health that falls under child abuse laws, 34 U.S. sCode § Code § 20341 - 20341 - Child abuse reporting ( reporting (3)the term “mental injury” injury” means harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual intellectual functioning functioning which may be exhibited exhibited by severe anxiety, anxiety, depression, depression, bewithdrawal withdrawal or outward outward aggressive aggressive behavior, behavior, or a combination combination of those behaviors, behaviors, which may be demonstrated demonstrated by a change in behavior, behavior, emotional emotional response response or cognition; cognition; 20341https:// https://www.law.cornell. cornell.edu/uscode/ uscode/text/34/20341 toyet yet we continue continue go blind with algorithms, algorithms, visual violence, violence, gambling, gambling, can't sleep, using red bull to awake the effects effects the health physically physically etc. Esports Esportsagainstat at third grade playing playing Minecraft Minecraft goes against levelsthe the U.S. Surgeon Surgeon General General REPORT. REPORT. Esports Esports programs programs expand across grade levels theNOW, NOW, THEREFORE, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President President of the United States of America, America, by virtue of the authority authority vested in me by the Constitution Constitution and the laws of the United States, States, proclaimdo do hereby proclaim livesApril April 2025 as National National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month. Month. I call upon all Americans Americans to invest in the lives of our Nation’ Nation’s children, children, to be aware of their thatsafety safety and well-being, and to support support efforts efforts that promote promote their psychological, psychological, physical, physical, and emotional emotional development. development. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/kids-off-social- social-media-act-sets-social- social-media-ageprminimum- minimum-to-13-pr toNational National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month is observed observed every April to aThe The injury may be intentional intentional or unintentional unintentional and may also result from severe discipline, discipline, a punishment punishment inappropriate inappropriate for the child’s age or condition, condition, lapsesor or may result from parental lapses stressbrought brought upon by immaturity, immaturity, the use or abuse of substances, substances, or extreme extreme stress. It is also important important. to note that a non-accidental accidental injury to a child orcommitted committed by anyone other than a parent or enforcementcaretaker caretaker is considered considered to be a criminal criminal act and falls under the jurisdiction jurisdiction of law enforcement servicesrather rather than child protective services . emotional abuse,. although almost always , otherunderlying underlying other types of abuse or neglect, neglect, can also occur alone. asEmotional Emotional abuse, sometimes referred to as psychological psychological abuse, is behavior behavior that impairs impairs the child’s emotional emotional development development or feelings feelings of selfaworth worth including including belittling, belittling, blaming, blaming, or rejecting rejecting a child; constantly constantly treating treating siblings siblings unequally; unequally; and a persistent lack of concern concern by the caretaker caretaker for the child’s welfare. welfare. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/national- national-child-abuse-prevention- prevention-month-is-observed- observedtoevery- every-april-to preciousWHEREAS, WHEREAS, In Garden Grove, as in any community, community, children children are our most precious caringmembers members who deserve deserve to grow in a safe, happy, healthy, healthy, stable, stable, and caring aenvironment environment where they can experience experience the wonders wonders and innocence innocence of a childhood childhood free of violence, violence, neglect, neglect, and abuse; estimatedWHEREAS, WHEREAS, the latest data is based on federal federal fiscal year 2023, a nationally nationally estimated alternative3, 3,081,715 children children received received either an investigation investigation response response or alternative response response at a rate of 42.0 children children per 1,000 in population; population; childWHEREAS, WHEREAS, in federal federal fiscal year 2023, 52 states reported reported 546,159 victims victims of child 000abuse abuse and neglect neglect that equates equates to a national national rate of 7.4 victims victims per 1,000 children;
andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect neglect can have long-term psychological, psychological, emotional, emotional, and physical physical effects effects that have lasting lasting consequences; consequences; promoteWHEREAS, WHEREAS, protective protective factors factors are conditions conditions that reduce or eliminate eliminate risk and promote the social, social, emotional, emotional, and developmental developmental well-being of children; children; createdWHEREAS, WHEREAS, effective effective prevention prevention activities activities succeed succeed because because of the partnerships partnerships created andbetween between child welfare welfare professionals, professionals, education, education, health, health, community community and andfaith faith based organizations, organizations, businesses, businesses, law enforcement enforcement agencies, agencies, and families;
andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, the City of Garden Grove actively actively places efforts efforts in raising raising awareness awareness and thepreventing preventing child abuse through through family support support services services offered offered by the andMagnolia Magnolia Park Family Resource Resource Center and the Buena Clinton Clinton Youth and Family Center;
increaseWHEREAS, WHEREAS, we acknowledge acknowledge that we must work together together as a community community to increase andawareness awareness about child abuse and contribute contribute to promote promote the social and andemotional emotional well-being of children children and families families in a safe, stable, stable, and andnurturing nurturing environment; and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, prevention prevention remains remains the best defense defense for our children children and families. families. asNOW NOW THEREFORE, THEREFORE, the Garden Grove City Council Council does hereby proclaim proclaim April 2025 as toNational National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month in Garden Grove, and urges all communities communities to take actions actions to end the tragedy tragedy of child abuse and neglect neglect in our nation. nation. 15792https:// https://agendasuite. agendasuite.org/iip/gardengrove/ gardengrove/file/getfile/ getfile/15792 preteensToo Too much screen time linked to manic symptoms symptoms in US preteens timeA A recent study of preteens preteens in the USA has found a significant significant link between between excessive excessive screen time and the onset of manic symptoms. symptoms. Unsurprisingly, Unsurprisingly, socialweremedia, media, video games and texting were singled out in particular.
yearsPreteens Preteens who spend more time on screens screens are more likely to develop develop manic symptoms symptoms two-years later, according according to a new study.
cognitiveToo Too much screen time can be bad for health. health. While video games can improve improve certain certain cognitive abilities, abilities, or even help reduce stress , stress , excessive excessive use could youngerpromote promote manic symptoms in younger andchildren. children. Such is the finding finding of a North American American study published published in Social Psychiatry Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology .
moodAccording According to health professionals, professionals, manic symptoms symptoms are characterized characterized by excessive excessive energy, energy, mood swings from one extreme extreme to the other, and the disruption disruption of mental functions functions and/or sleep needs:

Manic symptoms symptoms include include inflated inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, grandiosity, decreased decreased need for sleep, pressured pressured" involvementspeech, speech, flight of ideas, distractibility, distractibility, increased increased goal-directed directed activity, activity, and excessive excessive involvement in pleasurable activities," the researchers researchers explain explain in their paper. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/too-much-screen- screen-time-linked- linked-to-manic-symptoms- symptoms-inpreteensus- us-preteens AddictionMothers Mothers Against Media Addiction
againstOne One year ago, we launched launched MAMA with a bold vision: vision: to rally parents parents and allies to fight back against media addiction addiction and create a world where real-life theexperiences experiences and interactions remain at the heart of a healthy healthy childhood. childhood. We started started with the goal of establishing establishing six chapters chapters in our first year; fortoday, today, we have 32 chapters chapters in 18 states, states, with a growing growing waitlist, waitlist, including including requests requests for expansioninternational international expansion.. AddictionMothers Mothers Against Media Addiction toOPINION! OPINION! Please share your concern concern to these local agency' agency's it been too long yet haven't respond respond to my concerns concerns about children' children's safety! safety! Social media impacts impacts child’s wellbeing wellbeingChildWill Will local Government Government Children' Children's Limit Screentime/ Screentime/Child EspAbuse Abuse Esp to screentime screentime effects effects brain development development from limited limited age recommendation recommendation to 17 years old/ to the U.S. Surgeon Surgeon General General recommendations recommendations to not have social media safeunder under 13 to safe Senateguards guards a bill in the U.S. Senate
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, House2025 – 2025 – The White House National Child Abuse Prevention toMonth Month is observed every April to IncreasinglyRegisterdangerous dangerous scam targets targets kids through through sextortion – sextortion – Orange County Register addictionhttps:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/mothers- mothers-against- against-media-addiction https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/kids-off-social- social-media-act-sets-social- social-media-ageprminimum- minimum-to-13-pr awarenessMayor Mayor Klopfenstein Klopfenstein below was a letter sent out prior to your city as to other to raise awareness about to social media has on the child’s brain development development it has become aroundwell well know around forwardpublication publication to other nation, nation, now well will local government government address address what prevents prevents moving forward medicalthat that the lawfare lawfare hinders hinders to prevent prevent under the first amendment amendment to direct the industrial industrial the medical research research description description falls under child abuse laws. drugPublic Public Comment Comment For many teens, suicide suicide is no longer only about parents parents screaming screaming at kids, drug addiction addiction or bullying. bullying. Additionally, Additionally, 157,000 youths between between the ages of 10 atandnd 24 are treated at injuriesemergency emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries conversationInboxSearch InboxSearch for all messages messages with label InboxRemove InboxRemove label Inbox from this conversation 265: 5:26 AM (51 minutes ago)to CONTACT, CONTACT, me, REPLOUCORREA, REPLOUCORREA, response, response, SEDN.committee, committee, hauwie. hauwie. tie, David.Ochoa, ADAM.BOMAN, clayton. clayton.heard, Christopher. Christopher. Aguilera, Aguilera, SHEA.Committee, Committee, assemblymember. assemblymember. quirk-silva, Assemblymember. Assemblymember. Davies, Davies, assembly. assembly.rules, admin, lauren. lauren.robinson, robinson, Marguerite. Ries, Debbie. Look, Chelsea. Chelsea. Kelley, Kelley, Tanya. Lieberman, Lieberman, SENATOR. SENATOR. GONZALEZ, GONZALEZ, senator. senator.umberg, umberg, keisha. keisha.anderson, anderson, Liz, Public, Public, City.Council, Council, publiccomment, publiccomment, Grant.Silva, flynnEliza. Eliza.Brooks, Brooks, lisa.murawski, murawski, riana.king, Logan. Hess, lara.flynn Comment03- 03-22-2025 Public Comment
P.R.D.D.C.)(

CHILDRENPARENTS PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED DISABLED CHILDREN CRAIG A. DURFEY FOUNDER FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C.
92842P. P.O.BOX 2001 GARDEN GROVE, CA 92842
COMSOCIALEMOTIONALPAWS. SOCIALEMOTIONALPAWS. COM
DURFEYFACEBOOK: FACEBOOK: CRAIG DURFEY
U.S. HOUSE OF CONGRESS CONGRESS H2404 - H2404 - HONORING HONORING CRAIG DURFEY FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST AGAINST AUTISM ... AUTISM ...

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California.
pdfhttps:// https://www.govinfo. govinfo.gov/content/ content/pkg/CREC-2003-03-27/pdf/CREC-2003-03-27.pdf new website orgsocialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. org PUBLIC COMMENT NEXT BOARD MEETING.

SUPERVISORSREGULAR REGULAR MEETING MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

CALIFORNIAORANGE ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
DistrictDOUG DOUG CHAFFEE CHAIR Fourth District
Doug Chaffee, Chairman
Fourth District
714) 834-3440(
Katrina Foley, Vice Chair
Fifth District
714) 834-3550(
2025Tuesday, Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Presentations9: 9:00 A.M. Presentations
Business9: 9:30 A.M. Regular Business

FLOORBOARD BOARD HEARING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR
Drive400 400 W. Civic Center Drive
CaliforniaSanta Santa Ana, California
RoomBoard Board Room
EducationOrange Orange County Department of Education
Drive200 200 Kalmus Drive
92626Costa Costa Mesa, CA 92626
4012Phone: Phone: 714-966-4012
1916FAX: FAX: 714-432-1916
Email: uscontact@ocbe. [email protected]
2025April April 2, 2025
ofI’ I’m writing writing today to both the Orange County Board of Education Education with the Orange County Board of Supervisor Supervisor CA, school districts districts children children mental health from screentime, screentime, blue 2019light light SCR 73 year 2019 esports, esports, this algorithm algorithm from devices devices causes harm to one’s brain development development know as brain rot, https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/yes-%E2%80%9Cbrain- 9Cbrain-rot%E2%80%9D-content- content-is-assoundsbad- bad-as-it-sounds This concern concern for many years been worldwide worldwide concern concern yet now seven years the Orange County.

Board of Education Education with the Orange County Board of Supervisor Supervisor CA with school seriouslydistrict district seriously healthflawed, flawed, ignored, ignored, ILL prepared prepared to reach the root cause even SB 224 Pupil instruction: instruction: mental health education.(2021-2022) https:// https://leginfo. leginfo.legislature. legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. billNavClient.xhtml? 202120220SB224bill_ bill_id=202120220SB224
childIt’ It’s been too long to still continue continue to ignore your responsibility responsibility child’s welfare welfare from electronic electronic child abuse from over consumption consumption of time, back in Improving Improving Education Education EmpoweringOutcomes Outcomes by Empowering ofParents, Parents, States, States, and Communities Communities UPDATED: UPDATED: March 22, 2018 at 12:36 PM PDT Internet Internet a ‘Lord of allthe the Flies’: Flies’: Teen suicide suicide rise started started after Instagram, Instagram, Snapchat Snapchat began, request request be placed on all parties parties agendas agendas to bring an awareness awareness a culture culture bringsto to restore restore education education that less screentime screentime brings tobetter better outcome outcome Teens who spend less time in front of screens screens are happier — happier — up to https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/teens-who-spend-less-time-in-front-of-screens- screens-are1happier-% happier-%E2%80%94-up-to-1 that general general Z can’t be employed employed ,, https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/companies- companies-areemployeesquickly- quickly-firing-gen-z-employees , , https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/companies- companies-are-firing- firingwhatgen- gen-z-employees- employees-soon-after-hiring- hiring-them-what Below are research research supportive supportive many years with ton of hours to include include field research research to support support. quotewhat’ what’s still occurring occurring unwilling unwilling to address address this crisis a quote President President John F. Kennedy Kennedy said technology ‘ technology ‘has no conscience conscience of its own. Whether Whether it will become" a force for good or ill depends depends on man.’ Yet swayed by digital- digital-age myths, ourwe we are providing our children children with remarkably remarkably little guidance guidance on their use of technology.” technology.” It was Albert Einstein Einstein who famously famously said that once you stop learning, learning, you start dying. It was Bill. fasterGates Gates who said that he would want the ability ability to read faster mostit it takes a village village to save a child. Quotations Quotations by John F. Kennedy, “ Kennedy, “ Children Children are the world' s most valuable valuable resource resource and its best hope for the future. future.

As we express express our gratitude, gratitude, we must never forget that the highest highest appreciation appreciation is not to utter“ words, but to live by them."
President John F. Kennedy KennedyAs we express express our gratitude, gratitude, we must never forget that the highest highest appreciation appreciation is not to utter“ words, but to live by them."
President John F. Kennedy KennedyPut your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest smallest acts. This is the secret of success. success.

SivanandaSwami Swami Sivananda
No act of kindness, kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. wasted.

AesopAesop
suicideNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide Louie and Liza Pangelinan Pangelinan in the living room of their home in Mission Mission Viejo on Friday, Friday, March 16, 2018, as Liza holds a photograph photograph of their daughter, daughter, Emma, who loved softball softball promisingand and was a promising Registerplayer, player, at 13 years old killed herself herself in January. ( January. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Rightmire, Orange County Register RegisterNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide – suicide – Orange County Register changeThis This 16-year-old’s suicide suicide letters letters are a cry for help and a national national call for change inLess Less than two months ago, 16-year-old Patrick Patrick Turner — “ Turner — “Patty” to his family — family — took his life in parkcenterfield centerfield in a nearby park
3Second Second in a three-part series. series. Read Part 1 and Part 3 ofIn In a very nice part of California California and in a very nice home, a very nice family sits down to a dinner of chicken tetrazzini, salad and croissants.
familyDad Dad asks his 18-year-old son about the baseball baseball game he just pitched. pitched. The team lost, but the family knows there are bigger things in life. The Corona del Mar High School hissenior senior feels fine about his performance.

We are definitely definitely seeing an increase increase in self-harm,” reports reports Dr. Michael Michael Brant-Zawadzki, Zawadzki, executive executive“ medical medical director director of the Neurosciences Neurosciences Institute Institute at Hoag Memorial Memorial Hospital Hospital NewportPresbyterian Presbyterian in Newport Beach. “ Beach. “Negative Negative behaviors behaviors have steadily steadily started started to increase.” increase.” causeThe The Centers Centers for Disease Disease Control Control and Prevention Prevention reports reports suicide suicide has become the third-leading leading cause of death for teens and that more than 4,600 young people – people – ages 10 to 24 – are lost each year. departmentsAdditionally, Additionally, 157,000 youths between between the ages of 10 and 24 are treated treated at emergency emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries.
orFor For many teens, suicide suicide is no longer only about parents parents screaming screaming at kids, drug addiction addiction or bullying.
andThe The factors factors causing causing some of these suicides suicides as well as thousands thousands of attempts attempts are new, murky and very much 21st century.

RegisterNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide – suicide – Orange County Register TrumpDear Dear President Trump
researchI I have written written lengthy lengthy reports reports about esports, esports, social media, created created two websites websites blogs, research six years of the twenty three years, found to be extremely extremely mentalharmful harmful as in brain rot to child's mental termhealth health that falls under child abuse laws, 34 U.S. Code § 20341 - 20341 - Child abuse reporting ( reporting (3)the term mental injury” injury” means harm to a child’s psychological psychological or intellectual intellectual functioning functioning which may be“ exhibited by severe aanxiety, anxiety, depression, depression, withdrawal withdrawal or outward outward aggressive aggressive behavior, behavior, or a emotionalcombination combination of those behaviors, behaviors, which may be demonstrated demonstrated by a change in behavior, behavior, emotional response or cognition; 20341https:// https://www.law.cornell. cornell.edu/uscode/ uscode/text/34/20341 toyet yet we continue continue go blind with algorithms, algorithms, visual violence, violence, gambling, gambling, can't sleep, using red bull to awake the effects effects the health physically physically etc. Esports Esportsagainstat at third grade playing playing Minecraft Minecraft goes against levelsthe the U.S. Surgeon Surgeon General General REPORT. REPORT. Esports Esports programs programs expand across grade levels KidsScreen Screen Schooled: Schooled: Two Veteran Veteran Teachers Teachers Expose How Technology Technology Overuse Overuse Is Making Our Kids DumberDumber
https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/screen- screen-schooled- schooled-two-veteran- veteran-teachers- teachers-expose- expose-how2technology- technology- overu-2 AdolescentScreen Screen Time and Its Health Consequences Consequences in Children Children and Adolescent https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/screen- screen-time-and-its-health- health-consequences- consequences- inadolescentchildrenand- childrenand-adolescent preteensToo Too much screen time linked to manic symptoms symptoms in US preteens timeA A recent study of preteens preteens in the USA has found a significant significant link between between excessive excessive screen time and the onset of manic symptoms. symptoms. Unsurprisingly, Unsurprisingly, social media, video games wereand and texting were singled out in particular.
yearsPreteens Preteens who spend more time on screens screens are more likely to develop develop manic symptoms symptoms two-years later, according according to a new study.
cognitiveToo Too much screen time can be bad for health. health. While video games can improve improve certain certain cognitive abilities, abilities, or even help reduce stress , stress , excessive excessive use could promote promote manic symptoms symptoms youngerin in younger andchildren. children. Such is the finding finding of a North American American study published published in Social Psychiatry Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology .
moodAccording According to health professionals, professionals, manic symptoms symptoms are characterized characterized by excessive excessive energy, energy, mood swings from one extreme extreme to the other, and the disruption disruption of mental functions functions and/or sleep needs:

Manic symptoms symptoms include include inflated inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, grandiosity, decreased decreased need for sleep, pressured pressured" involvementspeech, speech, flight of ideas, distractibility, distractibility, increased increased goal-directed directed activity, activity, and excessive excessive involvement in pleasurable activities," the researchers explain in their paper. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/too-much-screen- screen-time-linked- linked-to-manic-symptoms- symptoms-inpreteensus- us-preteens ToKids Kids Off Social Media Act Sets Social Media Age Minimum Minimum To 13, Prohibits Prohibits Use Of Algorithms Algorithms To Feed Addictive Addictive Content Content To Teens Under 17.

CommitteeWASHINGTON – WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Commerce, Science, Science, and Transportation Transportation Committee approved approved the Kids Off Social Media Act. Authored Authored by U.S. Senators Senators Brian Schatz ( Schatz (D-Hawai‘ i), aa Senatesenior senior member of the Senate Commerce Commerce Committee, Committee, Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Texas), Chair of the Senate willCommerce Commerce Committee, Committee, Chris Murphy ( Murphy (D-Conn.), Conn.), and Katie Britt ( Britt (R-Ala.), the bipartisan bipartisan legislation legislation will keep kids off social media and help protect protect them from its harmful harmful billimpacts. impacts. To do that, the bill companieswould would set a minimum minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms platforms and prevent prevent social media companies from feeding feeding algorithmically- algorithmically-targeted targeted content content to users under the age of 17. In addition addition to Schatz, Schatz, Cruz, Murphy, Murphy, and Britt, the KidsWelchOff Off Social Media Act is cosponsored cosponsored by U.S. Senators Senators Peter Welch D-Vt.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Fetterman ( Fetterman (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Maine), Mark Warner ( Warner (D-Va.), and( John Curtis (R-Utah).

There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be on Instagram Instagram or Snapchat. Snapchat. The growing growing evidence evidence“ is clear: social media is making kids more depressed, depressed, more anxious, anxious, and techmore more suicidal. Yet tech urgentcompanies companies refuse to anything anything about it because because it would hurt their bottom line. This is an urgent Senatorhealth health crisis, crisis, and Congress Congress must act with the boldness boldness and urgency urgency it demands,” demands,” said Senator Schatz. “ Schatz. “ Protecting Protecting kids online is not a partisan partisan includesissue, issue, and our bipartisan bipartisan coalition – coalition – which includes countryseveral several parents parents of kids and teenagers – teenagers – represents represents the millions millions of parents parents across the country who’ve long been asking for help.”
The Kids Off Social Media Act is supported supported by Public Citizen, Citizen, National National Organization Organization for Women, National National Association Association of Social Workers, Workers, National National League for Nursing, Nursing, National National ofAssociation Association of CounselingSchool School Nurses, Nurses, KidsToo, KidsToo, Count on Mothers, Mothers, American American Federation Federation of Teachers, Teachers, American American Counseling Association, Association, National National Federation Federation of Families, Families, National National Association Association of Pediatric Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Practitioners, National National Council Council for Mental Wellbeing, Wellbeing, Parents Parents ClementiTelevision Television and Media Council, Tyler Clementi DigitalFoundation, Foundation, Parents Parents Who Fight, Conservative Conservative Ladies of America, America, David’s Legacy Foundation, Foundation, Digital AmericaProgress, Progress, HAS Coalition, Coalition, Parents Parents Defending Defending Education Education Action, Action, Concerned Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and the American American Academy Academy of Child and Adolescent Adolescent Psychiatry. Psychiatry. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/kids-off-social- social-media-act-sets-social- social-media-ageprminimum- minimum-to-13-pr ActNearly Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. voters support support the Kids Online Safety Act OnlineBOSTON, BOSTON, MA — Thursday, Thursday, November November 16, 2023 — Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. voters support support the Kids Online safeguardsSafety Safety Act (KOSA) which would adopt responsible responsible safeguards fromBipartisan Bipartisan legislation legislation that would require require social media platforms platforms to protect protect kids and teens from online harms has near universal universal support support across the political political spectrum, spectrum, according according pollto to a new poll findingsreleased released today by Issue One’s Council Council for Responsible Responsible Social Media and Fairplay. Fairplay. The findings thecome come amid growing growing calls for lawmakers lawmakers to put responsible responsible safeguards safeguards in place to address address the harmful harmful impact of social media on young people after another another Congresswhistleblower whistleblower came before Congress to testify testify that Meta knew its products products were hurting hurting kids. theIn In the new poll of U.S. voters, voters, conducted conducted by Hans Kaiser and Associates/ Associates/Hart Research, Research, 87% of the electorate electorate believes believes that it is important important for the president president and Congress Congress thetoo take action to combat the forharms harms being caused by social media platforms. platforms. This includes includes 86% of respondents respondents who voted for former President President Trump in the 2020 presidential presidential election, election, and 88% of voters who supported supported thencandidate candidate Joe Biden. Nearly all voters ( voters 94%) agree that mental health challenges challenges facing children children( theand and teens today are a serious serious problem, problem, and three in four (73%) blame social media and say the platforms platforms have had a negative negative impact on the mental health of youth over the last 20 years. votersFurther Further demonstrating demonstrating the overwhelming overwhelming public support support for congressional congressional action, action, 86% of voters support support the bipartisan bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require require platformssocial social media platforms to protect protect minors from specific specific online harms, such as the promotion promotion of eating disorders, disorders, suicide, suicide, newsubstance substance abuse, and sexual exploitation. exploitation. The bill would provide provide children children and parents parents with new safeguards, require the strongest safety companiessettings settings by default, default, and impose penalties penalties on companies whose design features features expose children children to these types of harms on their platforms. platforms.

Parents Parents have had enough. enough. They’re doing everything everything they can to keep their kids safe online, online, but“ parents parents can’t do this alone,” alone,” said Alix Fraser, Fraser, director director of Issue One’sSocialCouncil Council for Responsible Social demandingMedia. “ Media. “Congress Congress must take action now by passing passing KOSA into law. Voters are demanding toleadership, leadership, and it’s time for lawmakers lawmakers to deliver deliver on their promises promises and take meaningful meaningful steps to keep our children children safe online and finally finally hold tech companies accountable.” https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/%E2%80%94-nearly- nearly-9-in-10-us-voters- voters-support- support-theactkids- kids-online-safety-act preventionNorthwood Northwood High School takes a step toward youth suicide suicide prevention andThis This is the mission mission of Northwood Northwood High School’ School’s Hope Squad, a group of peer-elected elected students students and teacher teacher advisors advisors whose goal is to prevent prevent suicide suicide through through education, education, training training peerand and peer specialistintervention. intervention. Northwood’s mental health specialist https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/northwood- northwood-high-school- school-takes-a-step-toward- toward-youth1suicide- suicide-preventio-1 TiDetox Detox Your Digital Digital Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reduce Screen Ti sIn In today’s hyper-connected connected world, we are constantly constantly bombarded bombarded by digital digital screens— screens—whether whether it’s smartphones, smartphones, computers, computers, or televisions. televisions. While technology technology has undeniably undeniably improved improved aspectsmany many aspects mentalof of our lives, excessive excessive screen time can have serious serious consequences consequences for our physical physical and mental shealth. health. From disrupted disrupted sleep patterns patterns to strained strained relationships, relationships, the effects effects are far-reaching. reaching. It’s time to hit the reset button and detox your digital digitaltolife. life. This step-by-step guide will show you how to reduce screen time, improve improve your well-being, and reconnect reconnect with the world around you. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/detox-your-digital- digital-life-a-step-by-step-guide-to-reduce- reducetiscreen- screen-ti CommunitiesImproving Improving Education Education Outcomes Outcomes by Empowering Empowering Parents, Parents, States, States, and Communities PDTUPDATED: UPDATED: March 22, 2018 at 12:36 PM PDT
beganInternet Internet a ‘Lord of the Flies’: Flies’: Teen suicide suicide rise started started after Instagram, Instagram, Snapchat Snapchat began somberA A counselor counselor at J Serra Catholic Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano Capistrano faces a gathering gathering of somber students students and asks if they knew any of the teens who recently recently took their lives.

A half-dozen hands immediately immediately rise. After a pause, more hands poke up.

I knew Kyle,” one boy quietly quietly volunteers. “ volunteers. “He always seemed super happy. I never would have“ guessed.”
byIn In new series of sessions sessions about suicide suicide at JSerra — JSerra — as well as at many other schools — schools — little by little kids open up.
teenOne One student student talks about 13-year-old Emma Pangelinan Pangelinan who lived in Mission Mission Viejo. Another Another teen says he knew Patrick Patrick Turner, Turner, a 16-year-old who lived in Corona del Mar. A girl inmentions mentions two girls in a nearby town. A boy asks about another another boy who died. https:// https://www.ocregister. ocregister.com/2018/03/21/teen-suicide- suicide-can-be-reduced- reduced-if-parents- parents-educators- educators-change- changesocial-media-culture/ JserraDr. Dr. Courtney Courtney Harkins, Harkins, a clinical clinical supervisor supervisor at Jserra Catholic Catholic High gives a presentation presentation to Jserra students students about suicide, suicide, depression, depression, how to recognize recognize the symptoms symptoms andSanwhat what to do about it in San Juan Capistrano Capistrano on Wednesday, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. suicideNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide Louie and Liza Pangelinan Pangelinan in the living room of their home in Mission Mission Viejo on Friday, Friday, March 16, 2018, as Liza holds a photograph photograph of their daughter, daughter, Emma, who loved softball softball promisingand and was a promising Registerplayer, player, at 13 years old killed herself herself in January. ( January. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Rightmire, Orange County Register RegisterNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide – suicide – Orange County Register suicideNew New pressures pressures for perfection perfection contribute contribute to rise in teen suicide changeThis This 16-year-old’s suicide suicide letters letters are a cry for help and a national national call for change inLess Less than two months ago, 16-year-old Patrick Patrick Turner — “ Turner — “Patty” to his family — family — took his life in parkcenterfield centerfield in a nearby park
3Second Second in a three-part series. series. Read Part 1 and Part 3 ofIn In a very nice part of California California and in a very nice home, a very nice family sits down to a dinner of chicken tetrazzini, salad and croissants.
familyDad Dad asks his 18-year-old son about the baseball baseball game he just pitched. pitched. The team lost, but the family knows there are bigger things in life. The Corona del Mar High Schoolhissenior senior feels fine about his performance.
withBut But no matter how positive positive and relaxed relaxed the conversation, conversation, an unshakable unshakable gloom filled with humankind’ humankind’s deepest deepest questions questions hangs in the air. tableThe The dinner is courtesy courtesy of caring neighbors neighbors who want to help. Someone Someone is missing missing from the table who should be here, but will never return. return.
inLess Less than two months ago on Jan. 27, 16-year-old Patrick – “ Patrick – “Patty” to his family – family – took his life in center field in a nearby park.
whatBut But unlike with most suicides, suicides, Patrick Patrick Turner left several several thoughtful thoughtful notes detailing detailing exactly exactly what caused him to take his life and offered offered them to “whoever whoever reads them.” notesSignificantly, Significantly, the boy’s notes shed light on what experts experts call a new national national crisis in teens killing killing themselves. themselves.

CountyThis This 16-year-old’s suicide suicide letters letters are a cry for help and a national national call for change – change – Orange County RegisterRegister
inLess Less than two months ago, 16-year-old Patrick Patrick Turner -- " Turner -- "Patty" to his family -- family -- took his life in centerfield centerfield in a nearby park. ( park. (Courtesy Courtesy of the Turner Family) Family) changeThis This 16-year-old’s suicide suicide letters letters are a cry for help and a national national call for change 3Second Second in a three-part series. series. Read Part 1 and Part 3 ofIn In a very nice part of California California and in a very nice home, a very nice family sits down to a dinner of chicken tetrazzini, salad and croissants.
familyDad Dad asks his 18-year-old son about the baseball baseball game he just pitched. pitched. The team lost, but the family knows there are bigger things in life. The Corona del Mar High Schoolhissenior senior feels fine about his performance.
withBut But no matter how positive positive and relaxed relaxed the conversation, conversation, an unshakable unshakable gloom filled with humankind’ humankind’s deepest deepest questions questions hangs in the air. tableThe The dinner is courtesy courtesy of caring neighbors neighbors who want to help. Someone Someone is missing missing from the table who should be here, but will never return. return.
inLess Less than two months ago on Jan. 27, 16-year-old Patrick – “ Patrick – “Patty” to his family – family – took his life in center field in a nearby park.
whatBut But unlike with most suicides, suicides, Patrick Patrick Turner left several several thoughtful thoughtful notes detailing detailing exactly exactly what caused him to take his life and offered offered them to “whoever whoever reads them.” notesSignificantly, Significantly, the boy’s notes shed light on what experts experts call a new national national crisis in teens killing killing themselves. themselves.

So much pressure pressure is put on kids to do good, and a lot of kids make mistakes,” mistakes,” Patrick Patrick wrote. “ wrote. “One“ slipup makes a kid feel like the smallest smallest person in the world.

You are looked at as a loser if you don’t go to college college or if you get a certain certain GPA or test score.“ There is never a moment to brake.” brake.”
https:// https://www.ocregister. ocregister.com/2019/01/30/parents- parents-write-letter- letter-about-16-year-old-son-committing- committingsuicide- suicide-and-what-impact- impact-that-has-had/ beganInternet Internet a 'Lord of the Flies': Flies': Teen Suicide Suicide Rise Started Started After Instagram, Instagram, Snapchat Snapchat began 2018March March 21, 2018
https:// https://www.hoag.org/featured- featured-news/internet- internet-a-lord-of-the-flies-teen-suicide- suicide-rise-started- started-afterinstagram-snapchat-began/ myopiaToo Too much screen time is raising raising rate of childhood childhood myopia https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/too-much-screen- screen-time-is-raising- raising-rate-of-childhood- childhoodmyopiamyopia DeprivationBlue Blue Light and Your Eyes Causes Myopia with Sleep Deprivation https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/blue-light-and-your-eyes-causes- causes-myopia- myopia-with-sleepdipravationdipravation toTeens Teens who spend less time in front of screens screens are happier — happier — up to https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/teens-who-spend-less-time-in-front-of-screens- screens-are1happier-% happier-%E2%80%94-up-to-1 Lenovo: Lenovo: Smarter Smarter technology technology for all eyes. eyeshttps:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/lenovo- lenovo-smarter- smarter-technology- technology-for-all-eyes StandardsBlue Blue Light & Color Standards
standardshttps:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/blue-light-color-standards DevicesBlue Blue Light Summit 2021 Annual Forum on Digital Digital Devices https://bluelightsummit. com/
LightGlobal Global Leaders Leaders Team Up to Address Address Screen Time as an Emerging Emerging Health Issue at the Blue Light 2021Summit Summit 2021
cameBOE, BOE, Dell Technologies, Technologies, Eyesafe, Eyesafe, HP, Lenovo, Lenovo, LG Display, Display, UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare and ZAGG came together together on one stage to address address the biggest biggest health issue of the digital digital age: high-energy lightblue blue light from digital devices.
consumerEyesafe Eyesafe provides provides industry- industry-leading leading technology technology to reduce high-energy blue light in consumer electronics, electronics, helping helping to re-design displays displays for human health. health. Eyesafe Eyesafe technology technology standardsand and standards ofwere were developed developed by a world-class team of eye doctors, doctors, engineers, engineers, and scientists, scientists, with decades decades of inexperience experience in electronics, electronics, display display materials, materials, and light management. management. Eyesafe Eyesafe recently recently ranked # ranked #5 in the computer computer hardware hardware category category in Inc. Magazine' Magazine'sPrivate2021 2021 list of the 5000 Fastest- Fastest-Growing Growing Private Companies Companies in America. America. To learn more, visit comhttps:// https://eyesafe.com LightGlobal Global Leaders Leaders Team Up to Address Address Screen Time as an Emerging Emerging Health Issue at the Blue Light 2021Summit Summit 2021
inSleep Sleep specialist specialist backing backing RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement movement pushes to change school start times in AmericaAmerica
https:// https://www.foxnews. foxnews.com/health/ health/sleep-specialist- specialist-backing- backing-rfk-jr-maha-movement- movement-pushes- pushes-change- change1c676a2473f361eb280b7eaa721d601eschool- school-start-times-america? msockid= 1c676a2473f361eb280b7eaa721d601e SCR-73 Blue Light Awareness Awareness Day.(2019-2020)
SCR 73, Pan. Blue Light Awareness Awareness Day.

This measure measure would designate designate October October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Awareness Day in California. California.

KeyDigest Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: NO
201920200SCR73https:// https://leginfo. leginfo.legislature. legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SCR73 TextBill Bill Text
ofWHEREAS, WHEREAS, There are over 80 million million electronic electronic devices devices with digital digital screens screens in the State of andCalifornia; California; and
andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Screen time viewing viewing with electronic electronic devices devices exceeds exceeds over nine hours per day; and andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, The increased increased usage of, and access to, digital digital devices devices by young children children and medicaladolescents adolescents is an acute area of concern, concern, as ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, optometrists, and medical cumulativeresearchers researchers continue continue to learn more about the short-term effects effects of increasing increasing and cumulative exposure exposure to artificial artificial blue light on the developing developing human eye and mental health at a young age, along with long-term potential potential cumulative cumulative effects effects on adult eye health andandnd mental development; and overWHEREAS, WHEREAS, The scientific scientific community community and recent studies studies have identified identified growing growing concerns concerns over potential potential long-term eye and health impacts impacts for all age groups from digital digital screen andusage usage and andcumulative cumulative blue light exposure exposure emitted emitted from digital digital devices; devices; and andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Blue light has been reported reported to cause visual discomfort discomfort in 65 percent percent of Americans; Americans; and physiologyWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Blue light has been associated associated with possible possible harmful harmful effects effects on retinal retinal cell physiology linked to the high-energy, energy, short wavelength wavelength in the narrow range of 415–455 andnanometers; nanometers; and sleepWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Cumulative Cumulative blue light exposure exposure from digital digital devices devices has been shown to disrupt disrupt sleep cycles by suppressing suppressing the natural natural release release of melatonin melatonin and has also been linked prematureto to premature relatedaging aging of the retina, retina, which could accelerate accelerate potential potential long-term vision problems problems such as age-related andmacular macular degeneration, degeneration, decreased decreased alertness, alertness, and memory and emotional emotional regulation regulation impacts; impacts; and digitalWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Screen time can take a toll on vision health and comfort, comfort, leading leading to symptoms symptoms of digital andeye eye strain and dry, irritated irritated eyes; and andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, Given the growing growing body of research research around the breadth breadth and scope of potential potential eye and systemic systemic health impacts impacts related related to blue light exposure, exposure, the State of California California encourages citizens, toparticularly particularly children, children, to consider consider taking protective protective safety measures measures in reducing reducing eye exposure exposure to ithigh- high-energy visible visible blue light; now, therefore, therefore, be it theResolved Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, California, the Assembly Assembly thereof thereof concurring, concurring, That the Legislature Legislature hereby designates designates October October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Awareness Day in California; furtherand and be it further
forResolved, Resolved, That the Secretary Secretary of the Senate transmit transmit copies of this resolution resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SleepForget Forget What You Think You Know About Blue Light and Sleep thet’’s become a virtually virtually unchallenged unchallenged piece of conventional conventional wisdom that exposure exposure to blue light—the type emitted emitted by electronic electronic device screens— screens—is bad for sleep. That thinking thinking has spurred a minionindustry industry of innovations innovations meant to stop those effects, effects, like warm-toned “ toned “night mode” settings settings on gadgets gadgets and glasses glasses that claim to block blue light. aBut But in December, December, a group of researchers researchers at the University University of Manchester Manchester in the U.K. published published a paper in Current Current Biology Biology challenging challenging that notion. notion. After exposing exposing mice to inlights lights that were different in thathue hue but equal brightness brightness and assessing assessing their subsequent subsequent activity, activity, the researchers researchers concluded concluded that yellow light actually actually seems to disturb disturb sleep more than blue. Warm-toned light, they hypothesized, hypothesized, could trick the body into thinking thinking it’s daytime, daytime, while cooler blue light more closely closely mimics twilight. twilight. tThe The study was surprising, surprising, given the widespread widespread thinking thinking around blue light, but it wasn’t unprecedented. unprecedented. Some researchers researchers have argued that, while electronics electronics can keep you ofup up because of thetheir their bright lights and ability ability to time-suck, blue light isn’t necessarily necessarily the problem. problem. So what’s the best way to get a full eight hours each night? Here’s what experts experts say about blue light.

HeartGo Go Ahead, Take a Nap. A New Study Says They May Be Good for Your Heart 0 seconds seconds of 1 minute, minute, 22 secondsVolume secondsVolume 0% Why is blue light thought thought to disrupt disrupt sleep? andYour Your body is dictated dictated by its circadian circadian rhythms, rhythms, a set of time-dependent dependent physical, physical, mental and behavioral behavioral shifts. shifts. The most obvious obvious circadian circadian rhythm is the one that drivesnightyou you to be tired at night sand and alert during the day. This process process is dependent dependent upon melatonin, melatonin, a hormone hormone secreted secreted when it’s productiondark dark outside. outside. Nighttime Nighttime light exposure exposure can confuse confuse this process, process, suppressing suppressing melatonin melatonin production and keeping you up longer.

Studies Studies have suggested suggested that blue light is an especially especially powerful powerful melatonin melatonin suppressant. suppressant.

Melanopsin, Melanopsin, the pigment pigment that helps eye cells assess light brightness, brightness, is particularly particularly tosensitive sensitive to affectshorter, shorter, cooler wavelengths wavelengths like blue light, which some research research says means blue light may affect athe the body more dramatically dramatically than other hues. One highly cited study from 2014 showed that using a blue-light-emitting emitting iPad before bed suppresses suppresses melatonin, melatonin, doeswhile while reading a traditional book does andnot. not. IPad readers readers started started producing producing melatonin melatonin 1.5 hours later than usual the next day, and experienced experienced REM sleep—the phase during which dreams occur and memories memories are consolidated— consolidated— once they conked out, the study found.

Does the new study change that theory? theory?
toAnimal Animal studies studies should always be taken with a grain of salt, as they often do not translate translate directly directly to human behavior. behavior. And there are additional additional caveats caveats to this particular particular paper, says Dr. Cathy Goldstein, thea a sleep specialist specialist at Michigan Michigan Medicine. Medicine. The researchers researchers looked specifically specifically at cones in the theanimals’ animals’ eyes, which detect color, instead instead of melanopsin, melanopsin, which senses light and is central central to the issue of melatonin secretion.
ofThey They also kept light levels dim, regardless regardless of color, which may not reflect reflect the bright lights of electronics.
theAnd And finally, finally, though mice are frequently frequently used in sleep research, research, Goldstein Goldstein notes that since the rodents rodents are nocturnal, nocturnal, they may respond respond differently differently to light than humans do. Taken together, ofGoldstein Goldstein says these conditions conditions mean the study’s results results apply only to a very narrow set of forcircumstances circumstances and metrics. “ metrics. “For this to get extrapolated extrapolated to saying ‘ saying ‘blue light at night isn’t bad for you’ is a little bit of an extension,” extension,” Goldstein Goldstein says.

But that doesn’t mean blue light is evil. “ evil. “Blue light has become the gluten of the sleep world,” world,” Goldstein Goldstein says with a laugh. In other words, though it may be a potential potential trigger for health issues, its impact has been blown way out of proportion. proportion.

We put the cart so far ahead of the horse” with blue light, agrees James Wyatt, who directs directs sleep“ disorders disorders and sleep-wake research research at Rush University University Medical Medical Center. Center. In Wyatt’s view, isrecommendations recommendations around limiting limiting blue light have far outpaced outpaced science science around its effects. effects. There is consistentlya a valid scientific scientific basis to the idea that blue light interrupts interrupts sleep, since research research consistently shows that light of any kind suppresses suppresses melatonin melatonin especiallyand and blue light may do so to an especially representativeextreme extreme degree. degree. But Wyatt says most human research research done in this field hasn’t been representative tof of the way the average average person is exposed exposed to blue light. That is, most experimental experimental conditions conditions don’t correspond to the inaverage average person’ person’s day, and even then they often result in only tiny changes changes in sleep.
anTake Take that iPad study, for example. example. While it did show that bedtime bedtime exposure exposure to blue light through through an iPad can suppress suppress melatonin, melatonin, Wyatt notes that people who read on their tookdevices devices for hours took sleeponly only 10 minutes minutes longer to fall asleep than paper book readers. “ readers. “ In over 20 years of practicing practicing sleep 10medicine, medicine, I have never had a patient patient come to me and say, ‘Hey, doc, can you help me fall asleep 10 minutes faster?'” Wyatt says.
andGoldstein Goldstein adds that the spectrum spectrum of light isn’t the only thing that matters— matters—so do brightness, brightness, and duration duration of exposure. “ exposure. “You can’t just worry about spectrum spectrum alone,” alone,” she yoursays. “ says. “You can’t have your toblue blue light filter on, and then have your phone or your tablet at maximal maximal brightness” brightness” and expect to drift right off with no problem. problem.

Should I try to limit blue light exposure? exposure?
There are plenty of reasons reasons other than sleeplessness sleeplessness to not spend all your time staring staring at screens, screens, from possible possible mental health consequences consequences to their correlation correlation with a insedentary sedentary lifestyle. But in filteringterms terms of eye health, health, there’s no reason to spend your time and money looking looking for blue-light-filtering glasses glasses or gadgets, gadgets, says Dr. Matthew Matthew Gardiner, Gardiner, an ophthalmologist ophthalmologist at Massachusetts Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

While some people report improvements in eye-strain or headaches headaches after using these products, products, moreGardiner Gardiner says there’s no research research to suggest suggest blue light damages damages your eyes. “ eyes. “If you feel more comfortable, comfortable, then that’s fine, but it does not do anything anything for the health of your eyes,” he says. blueFor For sleep, Wyatt says the evidence evidence isn’t strong enough to issue a blanket blanket recommendation recommendation on blue light. That doesn’t necessarily necessarily mean it’s a good idea to use technology technology lightbefore before bed—any bright light toright right before sleep can mess with circadian circadian rhythms, rhythms, and firing off last-minute emails is unlikely unlikely to Personallull lull you to sleep—but blue light may not be as universally universally bad for slumber slumber as people think. Personal preference plays a role, too. watchingWyatt Wyatt notes that some people feel relaxed relaxed and sleepy after watching television, television, while others feel wide-awake after flipping flipping through through a page-turning turning book. saysGoldstein Goldstein agrees that blue light research research isn’t as conclusive conclusive as it’s often portrayed, portrayed, but says there’s also no reason not to use night-mode filters filters on electronics electronics if you Justfind find them helpful. Just remember remember to turn down the brightness brightness and avoid hours of aimless aimless scrolling, scrolling, she says.

Finally, Finally, research research is pretty definitive definitive on the fact that a dark room is the best environment environment for sleep, so it’s smart to block out light sources sources when it’s actually actually time yourfor for bed. Wyatt suggests keeping your sameroom room at a cool 65° to 68° Fahrenheit, Fahrenheit, limiting limiting intermittent intermittent noise and sticking sticking to roughly roughly the same sleep and wake times each day to get quality quality rest.

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DarknessMichelle Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness Write to Jamie Ducharme atcomjamie. jamie.ducharme@time. com appsFor For sake of pupils’ pupils’ pupils, pupils, China to ban homework homework on apps beBEIJING ( BEIJING (AP) — An eastern eastern Chinese Chinese province province plans to ban teachers teachers from assigning assigning homework homework to be completed completed on cellphone cellphone apps as part of efforts efforts to preserve preserve students’ students’ eyesight. eyesight. ofZhejiang Zhejiang province province issued a draft regulation regulation last week and is seeking seeking public comment. comment. It is one of several provinces considering such measures.
useAlong Along with barring barring app-based homework homework assignments, assignments, the Zhejiang Zhejiang regulation regulation would limit the use of electronic electronic devices devices to 30 percent percent of total teaching teaching time and encourage encourage paperthe the issuing of paper homework homework to be completed completed by hand.
ofSoaring Soaring rates of nearsightedness nearsightedness are blamed partly on screen usage. While China’s overall overall rate of myopia is 31 percent, percent, among high school students students it stands at 77 percent percent collegeand and among college students 80 percent.
ratesThe The regulation regulation aims to pull that back to 70 percent percent among senior high school students, students, with rates among primary primary school students students targeted targeted at 38 percent percent and junior high school 60students students at 60 percent.
intoThe The regulation regulation would bar primary primary and middle school students students from bringing bringing electronic electronic devices devices into classrooms classrooms without without permission, permission, restrict restrict amounts amounts of homework homework assigned assigned and forincrease increase the time for breaks, breaks, sports and extra-curricular curricular activities. activities.

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It says no written written homework homework at all should be assigned assigned to 1st and 2nd graders. graders. theAlready, Already, national national education education authorities authorities have issued a proposal proposal to prevent prevent teachers teachers from using the popular popular WeChat or QQ messaging messaging apps for assigning assigning homework homework and banned askingthem them from asking homeworkparents parents to mark their children’ children’s work. The education education ministry ministry also called for only paper homework assignments assignments for primary primary and middle school students “ students “in principle.” principle.” Still, mobile devices devices are unlikely unlikely to be abandoned abandoned entirely entirely as a means of supplementing supplementing classwork. classwork.

Language Language apps, especially especially those for learning learning English English pronunciation, pronunciation, are withextremely extremely popular with students, students, many of whom are more likely to own smart phones than home computers. computers. thanLimiting Limiting screen time is of particular particular concern concern in Asia, where rates of myopia tend to be higher than in Europe and North America. America. With a level of myopia estimated estimated at 80Asianpercent, percent, the Southeast Asian city state of Singapore Singapore is believed believed have the highest highest percentage percentage of nearsighted nearsighted people. people. https:// https://socialemotionalpaws. socialemotionalpaws. com/blog-post-1/f/for-sake-of-pupils% pupils%E2%80%99-pupils- pupils-china-to-ban2homework- homework-on-apps-2 YouThank Thank You
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2025Trump Trump A Proclamation Proclamation National National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month, 2025 2025Apr Apr 5, 2025
sextortionIncreasingly Increasingly dangerous dangerous scam targets targets kids through through sextortion 2025Apr Apr 5, 2025
faceSchools Schools have 10 days to comply with Trump anti-DEI policy or face 2025Apr Apr 4, 2025
Will local Government Children'sEspLimit Limit Screentime/Child Abuse Esp National Child Abuse Prevention Month, House2025 – 2025 – The White House National Child Abuse Prevention toMonth Month is observed every April to IncreasinglyRegisterdangerous dangerous scam targets targets kids through through sextortion – sextortion – Orange County Register proclamationproclamation
MonthApril April as National National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month preciousWHEREAS, WHEREAS, In Garden Grove, as in any community, community, children children are our most precious caringmembers members who deserve deserve to grow in a safe, happy, healthy, healthy, stable, stable, and caring aenvironment environment where they can experience experience the wonders wonders and innocence innocence of a childhood childhood free of violence, violence, neglect, neglect, and abuse; abuse; estimatedWHEREAS, WHEREAS, the latest data is based on federal federal fiscal year 2023, a nationally nationally estimated alternative3, 3,081,715 children children received received either an investigation investigation response response or alternative response response at a rate of 42.0 children children per 1,000 in population; population; childWHEREAS, WHEREAS, in federal federal fiscal year 2023, 52 states reported reported 546,159 victims victims of child 000abuse abuse and neglect neglect that equates equates to a national national rate of 7.4 victims victims per 1,000 children;
andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect neglect can have long-term psychological, psychological, emotional, emotional, and physical physical effects effects that have lasting lasting consequences; consequences; promoteWHEREAS, WHEREAS, protective protective factors factors are conditions conditions that reduce or eliminate eliminate risk and promote the social, social, emotional, emotional, and developmental developmental well-being of children; children; createdWHEREAS, WHEREAS, effective effective prevention prevention activities activities succeed succeed because because of the partnerships partnerships created andbetween between child welfare welfare professionals, professionals, education, education, health, health, community community and andfaith faith based organizations, organizations, businesses, businesses, law enforcement enforcement agencies, agencies, and families;
andWHEREAS, WHEREAS, the City of Garden Grove actively actively places efforts efforts in raising raising awareness awareness and thepreventing preventing child abuse through through family support support services services offered offered by the andMagnolia Magnolia Park Family Resource Resource Center and the Buena Clinton Clinton Youth and Family Center;
increaseWHEREAS, WHEREAS, we acknowledge acknowledge that we must work together together as a community community to increase awareness awareness about child abuse and contribute contribute to promote promote andthe the social and andemotional emotional well-being of children children and families families in a safe, stable, stable, and andnurturing nurturing environment; and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, prevention prevention remains remains the best defense defense for our children children and families. families. asNOW NOW THEREFORE, THEREFORE, the Garden Grove City Council Council does hereby proclaim proclaim April 2025 as toNational National Child Abuse Prevention Prevention Month in Garden Grove, and urges all communities communities to take actions actions to end the tragedy tragedy of child abuse and neglect neglect in our nation. nation. 2025April April 8, 2025
FederalI I hope that after researching researching for seven to eight years the question question is when will local, State, Federal come forward forward to recognize recognize social medial harm, since those in field toall all professional trained to epidemicprevent prevent child abuse don’t has a clue from limited limited awareness awareness as to what it causing causing this epidemic thatthus thus we continue continue fester the crises of child abuse in a modern age to limit the consumption consumption that nothing nothing under 13 to limit above until 17 years old.

YouThank Thank You
DurfeyCraig Craig A Durfey
Founder Founder of P.R.D.D.C.

Date: 4/7/2025 12:29:24 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Howto Protect Your Eyes While Staring at a Screen All Day Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: How to Protect Your Eyes While Staring at a Screen All Day - https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/how-to-protect- your- eyes- while- staring- at-a-screen- all-day/ar-AA1yC5zS? ocid=socialshare Date: 4/7/2025 2:18:52 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# No loyalty.To your dirty family" onYouTube Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtu.be/cd4dVyqym4Q? si=WxDjValhOcqMGV59
Date: 4/7/2025 8:23:12 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "# Haters, Lowes, 24 hour Fitness, McDonald' s" on YouTube Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtube. com/shorts/GUD7X4W- AEg?si=nagVcJoQuUJrBVS_ Date: 4/7/2025 9:48:15 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Fwd: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken newsletter Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Forwarded message ---------
From: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken <bballinas- anaheim.net@shared1. ccsend. com> Date: Mon, Apr 7, 2025, 10:01 AM
Subject: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken newsletter
To: <
Vie w as We bpage
Join Us: State of the City
Join us for the 2025 State of the City !
If you haven't already, book your table or seat today and be part of this annual Anaheim tradition.

State of the City is on Tuesday , April 29, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Grov e of Anahe im.

It's an honor to take part in my third State of the City addre ss as mayor.

State of the City will be a celebration of all things Anahe im and an uplifting event that brings our community together to hear about what we've done and what' s to come .

With so many amazing things happening across our city, this year's State of the City will be a fun-filled celebration of Anahe im's colorful history and bright future .

We'll gather for great Anahe im story telling, a fun and informativ e address, uplifting performances and a social media-worthy lunch presentation in the elegant setting of the Grove of Anaheim.

Event proceeds directly benefit the Anahe im Comm unity Foundation, a nonprofit supporting a range of programs, services and other nonprofits, all to enrich the lives of Anaheim residents and our community .

Book your table today by going to Anaheim. net/StateoftheCity .

You can also enter for a chance to attend as our guest at a community table for stude nts, voluntee rs and others from across our city.

Submit your name at Anahe im.net/Stateofthe City.

Moving forward with Veteran Cemetery
We're proud to be moving forward on a hallowed resting place for our veterans in the hills of east Anaheim.

In March, an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of our project, setting aside an unnece ssary and unwarrante d legal challenge to the Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.

While our work never stopped, we welcome the certainty this action brings for our veterans, their families and our city.

A veteran cemetery for Orange County has been long overdue .

Anaheim is honored to provide a final resting place for those who selflessly serve d our country.

This veteran site will also offer families a special place for families to remember their loved ones.

We are unwav ering in our commitment to veterans, and, with this decision, continuing our path forward with the help of our county, state and other supporters.
91 Improvement Project
Last month we launched safety measure s at and around Canyon High School at Imperial Highway and Avenida Bernardo.

Traffic lights now allow vehicles and kids through the area in cycles to bette r the safe ty of those walking and driving.

All of this is to ensure safety for stude nts as they ’re leaving school.

The traffic light changes are only from 1:10-1:45 p.m . and 3:25-3:45 p.m. on school days, when students are leaving.

Outside these hours, the signals operate as they always hav e .

At times, vehicle traffic is briefly halted to allow kids to cross Imperial toward Bernardo.

Vehicles are allowe d to flow out of Canyon’s parking lot onto Imperial with north- south Imperial traffic briefly halted).

Once students cross, traffic on Imperial resume s in all directions.

The changes are the result of our city’ s effort to look at traffic safe ty conce rns at Canyon and as part of our ongoing work to make our school routes safer.
91 Improvement Project
We celebrated the start of bringing real change to all who rely on the 91 through eastern Anahe im.

The 91 Improve ment Project will improve a five-mile stretch from the 57 to the 55 freeways by adding lanes, bridges and other upgrades for commuters.

Anyone who’s tried to weave through merging 55 traffic just to exit at Lakev iew knows the struggle is real!
This proje ct will also improve acce ss to Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Honda Center, OCVibe, Anaheim Canyon and surrounding neighborhoods, creating better connections across Anaheim.

While the road ahead will have its challe nges and impacts, we’re committed to making trav el smoothe r and more efficie nt for the future.

Think of this project as a vital link, paving the way for a more connected, easier commute in the years to come.

Thanks to our partners at OCTA and Caltrans for investing in the future of our city.

Basebal l for All
We marked the grand reopening of the Big A Ballpark at Pione er Park, a field that makes baseball accessible to all.

We gathered to play at the newly restored field with the athle tes of the Challe nger and Miracle leagues, Angels great Jim Abbott, up and coming outfielder Kyren Paris and many others.

It was a day of inspiring baseball for everyone.

There is no holding anyone back from the crack of the bat to the thrill of running the bases at this field, which is open to all, no matter your ability .

Thanks to Angels Baseball, the Angels Baseball Foundation, EVA Air and Anaheim Community Services for making this possible.

Inspiring Love of Reading
I joined the awesome kids of
Jame s Madison Elementary
to celebrate their love of
books and reading.

Honoring Our Firefighters
Anahe im Fire & Rescue , our
city's firefighters, medical and
other emergency responders,
is proudly made up of more
For Read Across America, a
national day of reading, I got to
sit with the kids and read "Be
You!" a celebration of what
makes every kid special and
unique.

Reading is so important for
our students and our
community.

We’re not just flipping through
pages — we’re opening
doors to a world of
knowledge , imagination,
culture and endless
discov ery.

Visit one of Anahe im's
seven librarie s to find your
next favorite book at
anaheim. net/library.

Check out my top book
recomme ndations by
clicking here !
than 200 firefighters,
paramedics and ambulance
operators serving our
community every day .

I was honored to celebrate
and honor the men and
women recognized at Anaheim
Fire & Rescue's badge
pinning ceremony , where
new rankings, academy
graduates and exceptional
service were acknowledged.

We are proud of the bravery
of our first responders as they
deploy to fires, medical
emergencies, traffic accidents
and more.

Earlier this year, our
firefighters also provided
their help and resource s in
aid of the devastating L.A.
fires near Pasadena and
Pacific Palisades.

Anahei m Hyundai Grand Reopeni ng
We are bettering our economy and community as we joined to celebrate the grand reope ning of Anaheim Hyundai!
The dealership underwent an extensiv e renovation with an elegantly modern look that ups the game of our auto center alongside Honda Center.

I want to thank Chief Executive Armina Mgerian and Nouri Shaver Automotive Group for this investment in our city.

Anaheim Hyundai is the leading seller of Hyundais in our region! Adopt Your Next Fami ly Pet!
Meet Jordan!
She's a 4-year-old German Shepherd looking for her forever home .

Jordan is a great cuddler and loves to hike!
If you're seeking a pet, consider Jordan or one of the many cats, dogs and rabbits up for adoption through OC Animal Care, which serves Anaheim.

Jordan is available at OC Animal Care 's Santa Ana facility .

Her pet ID: A1888147
See more at PetAdoption. OCPe tInfo.com.

Contact the office of Mayor Aitken
bballinas@anaheim. net
Connect on social media
An aheim Ma yo r As hle igh Aitke n | 200 S. Ana he im Blvd . | An aheim, C A 92805 US Unsubscrib e | Update Pro file | C onsta nt C ontact Da ta Notice Date: 4/7/2025 8:53:17 PM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Watch "#Privacy act" onYouTube
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://youtu.be/kvoDim2zFxI? si=QaC0IBa0um BeaMQf
Date: 4/8/2025 6:22:34 AM
From:" Ruben Soto"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Sick people on facebook
Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=61557982917889& mibextid= ZbWKwL Date: 4/8/2025 7:55:00 AM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Kids under 16 will no longer be allowed to livestream on Instagram without parental consent Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Kids under 16 will no longer be allowed to livestream on Instagram without parental consent - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ kids-under- 16-will-no-longer- be-allowed- to-livestream- on-instagram- withoutparental- consent/ ar-AA1Cw7gz?ocid=socialshare Date: 4/8/2025 9:27:21 AM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Meta adds ' Teen Accounts' to Facebook, blocks teen livestre aming on all platforms Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: Meta adds 'Teen Accounts' to Facebook, blocks teen livestreaming on all platforms - https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/meta- adds- teen-accounts- to-facebook- blocks- teen-livestreaming- on-all-platforms/ arAA1CwuA3? ocid=socialshare Date: 4/8/2025 3:36:02 PM
From:" Craig ADurfey"
To:

Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Fwd: ALERT: Homelessness Spending InSouthern California Under Federal Review – Tue 03:22:38PM Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Forwarded message ---------
From: Craig ADurfey <
Date: Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Fwd: ALERT: Homelessness Spending In Southern California Under Federal Review – Tue 03:22:38PM Forwarded message ---------
From: Craig ADurfey <
Date: Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Fwd: ALERT: Homelessness Spending In Southern California Under Federal Review – Tue 03:22:38PM Forwarded message ---------
From: Orange County Patch <noreply@patch. com>
Date: Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Subject: ALERT: Homelessness Spending In Southern California Under Federal Review – Tue 03:22:38PM To: <
Ifwe discover any federal laws were violated, we will make arrests," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a rising G.O.P. starfrom RivCo. | The best ofOrange County Patch right toyourinbox.

If we discover any federal laws were violated, we will make arrests," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli , a rising G.O.P. star from RivCo.

BREAKING
NEWS
Orange County
Homelessness Spending In Southern
California Under Federal Review
If we discover any federal laws were violated, we will make arrests," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a rising G.O.P. star from RivCo....

Read more »
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Date: 4/8/2025 6:02:26 PM
From:" Stephanie Mercadante"
To:" Public Comment" [email protected]
Subject:[ EXTERNAL] Regarding: Transparency, Accountability, and Anaheim’s Leadership Warning: This email originated fromoutside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.

Mayor Aitken,
I write to you today not as a casual observer but as a deeply concerned resident of Anaheim. Recent events—your open letter to Arte Moreno and Angels Baseball, as well as your statement on Harry Sidhu’s sentencing—warrant critical reflection on the governance, transparency, and trustworthiness of Anaheim’s leadership.

Let’s begin with your open letter to Arte Moreno. You highlight the importance of preserving Angels Baseball as part of Anaheim’s identity. Yet, the vague and outdated lease terms you reference symbolize broader failures in accountabi lity and oversight. While you evoke the greatness of Anaheim’s baseball legacy, your words risk pandering to residents rather than addressing the systemic mismanagement that has plagued this city. Hundreds of thousands spent on legal disputes by prior councils reflect a pattern of neglect. This demands clear acknowledgment and meaningful change. Residents deserve answers about what went wrong, regardless of your stated reluctance to “relitigate the past.” Your call for an open and honest conversation about Angels Baseball’s future is commendable, but the past cannot be ignored.

Transparency cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. Anaheim deserves measurable outcomes, not anecdotes or vague promises. To many, this feels like the same game with different players—a continuation of patterns of corruption rather than a break from them.

Turning to Harry Sidhu’s sentencing, you claim Anaheim has led significant reforms, declaring it the most transparent city in Orange County, if not all of California. With respect, this assertion is deeply flawed. Transparency is built on consistent actions.

However, residents face ongoing delays in accessing public records—a critical tool for accountabi lity. Findings from the JL Group expose lingering secrecy and questionable alliances. The Angel Stadium debacle remains a vivid reminder of why public trust has eroded—secrecy and betrayal of resident interests cannot be dismissed with empty words.

Your assurance that “honest, open government” is being upheld rings hollow without demonstrable proof. Compliance with the Surplus Land Act is the bare minimum required by law, not a milestone to strive towards. While you emphasi ze investments in schools, parks, affordable housing, workforce training, and open space, an important question remains: With what funds are these investments possible? Anaheim’s serious debt, driven by financial mismanagement, raises significant doubts about the feasibility of these promises. Without a clear plan to address liabilities and secure resources, these commitments risk being more rhetoric than reality.

The residents of this city demand transparency that is proven, not proclaimed; reforms that are thorough and transformati ve, not superficial; and accountability that holds leadership to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Thank you.