October 26, 2026, Palo Alto, CA — Last week, scientists, public health experts, policy leaders, community leaders, and energy partners gathered at the Breathing Room Summit, co-hosted by WestLight Energy, Stanford’s Center for Human and Planetary Health, and Induction Rocks. The half-day summit explored ideas and practical solutions to improve health and indoor air in the kitchen, and beyond.
WestLight Energy is a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) that, in addition to providing clean energy to customers in San Mateo County and Los Banos, offers community programs, incentives, and support to help residents transition from gas to electric appliances in all areas of the home. To get a better understanding of community needs and challenges, WestLight engages in roughly 50 community events annually. These conversations informed the inception and design of the Summit.
“A common thread emerged from these community conversations: there is a vast knowledge gap between what scientists know about the negative health impacts of gas appliances used at home, and what the public knows,” said Kirsten Andrews-Schwind, the Associate Director of Community Relations and Climate Equity at WestLight Energy. “To help close this gap, we found a natural partner with Stanford’s Center for Human and Planetary Health, which works to advance solutions that improve both health and sustainability, including through their Electrification for Health program.”
Discussions at the Breathing Room event focused on the health impacts of gas appliances in the home, including gas stoves. While the topic of switching to induction stoves has been a controversial one, the research from Stanford is clear: indoor air pollution caused by gas stoves increases the risk of asthma, heart disease, and other serious health conditions. They have published a variety of studies on the topic, which include:
- A 2023 study which found that “cooking with gas stoves can raise indoor levels of the carcinogen benzene above those found in secondhand smoke.”
- A 2024 study which found that “gas stoves emit unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide” which spread throughout the entire house
- A 2026 study which “finds unhealthy pollution levels in commercial kitchens with gas stoves”
While there are no requirements to switch from gas to induction ovens or stove tops, WestLight Energy offers several programs for those who do want to make the switch for health reasons. These include free induction stoves for income-qualified customers who pursue support through WestLight Energy’s Home Upgrade Program, as well as free technical support for market-rate customers.
“We have a dedicated team who make it easy and affordable for our customers to bring healthier appliances into their homes,” said Andrews-Schwind. “Replacing any gas appliance with an electric one means cleaner air for your family and your community.”
Learn more about WestLight Energy’s Home Upgrade Programs here. To learn more about Stanford’s Center for Human and Planetary Health, please click here.
About WestLight Energy
WestLight Energy is a public agency and the official electricity provider for the communities of San Mateo County and Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency serves 314,000 households and businesses by providing 50 percent renewable and 100 percent clean energy at a lower cost than PG&E. WestLight Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Over the last decade, WestLight has saved customers $226M, provided $30M in electric vehicles and electric appliance rebates and no-interest loans, reinvested more than $100M into the community, and advocated for state-wide green energy policies. In 2026, WestLight Energy marked its tenth anniversary and launched its next decade working toward a fossil-free future where everyone thrives through clean energy that’s accessible and affordable to all. Learn more at WestLightEnergy.org.
Media Contact:
Gwen Rose
communications@westlightenergy.org
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