Roughly 17 million Southern California residents won’t have to worry about switching over to electric-powered water heaters and furnaces and incurring thousands of dollars in handyman bills.

At least for now.

It’s a proposal that’s pitting environmental groups against many elected officials.

Activists say the improved air quality from the switch will lead to better health, local officials argue that while reducing pollution is important, the costs to transition to electric appliances are too high for residents.

Now, regional air quality leaders are stepping away from a proposal to gradually dial back how many gas-powered water heaters and furnaces manufacturers can sell in Southern California for now amid intense pushback from local leaders and residents.

The proposed regulations – in

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