Bend Joins Ashland and Passes Climate Pollution Fee to Reduce Pollution, Lower Energy Costs, and Improve Public Health

Bend City Council joins growing trend of cities passing policies to reduce fossil fuel emissions from buildings while saving  residents money

Press Contact: Brennan Breen, brennan@energizebend.org, 303-618-7760

Date: June 17, 2026

BEND, Ore. - BEND, Ore. - After years of policy development and community advocacy, Bend City Council voted 4-1 in favor of passing the Climate Pollution Fee. The policy will reduce climate and air pollution from new residential construction, a step that climate, public health, consumer affordability, and youth advocates hailed as a major win.

“We are thrilled to see Bend take this important first step to reduce climate and air pollution,” said Brennan Breen, Energize Campaign Coordinator. “We are joining a growing list of Oregon cities in meeting housing, affordability, and climate goals with smart policy decisions.”

This policy comes at a critical time. Oregon’s Housing Needs Assessment finds that Bend will need to build 33,000 new dwellings over the next 20 years and buildings already make up 48% of Bend’s total greenhouse gas emissions. It also comes in the midst of a proposed 17.4% rate increase from Bend’s natural gas utility, Cascade Natural Gas, and an updated renewable energy portfolio from Bend’s largest electricity provider, PacifiCorp, that would reduce emissions from power generation by 80.7% by 2030.

The Climate Pollution Fee is closely based on a similar policy passed by the City of Ashland last year, and would apply to gas appliances in new residential construction only, and revenue generated would fund an equity-focused program to improve energy efficiency and affordability for Bend households. The fee would not apply to current homeowners who use natural gas, and new homes built without fossil fuels also would not be affected.

At the final public hearing on the policy, multiple Bend residents testified before City Council in support of the policy.

“From a utility planning perspective, this makes sense,” commented Bend resident, Joe Henry, who worked for over 35 years in utility resource planning. “This program will help electric and gas utilities better anticipate future infrastructure needs and make smart long term investments.”

Supporters say the benefits go beyond emissions reduction. Studies show that high-efficiency electric appliances will save residents money — both now and over the long-term.

“My home was built in 2016 using solar panels to support our energy needs, and it achieved Net Zero Certification,” said Bend resident and Earth Hero recipient Joe Craig. “By building with Net Zero construction techniques, my home has appreciated more than traditionally constructed homes.”

Residents also noted the health benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the short and long term, electrification benefits the inhabitants of electrified dwellings by decreasing overall costs compared to gas… and decreasing asthma and other illnesses from gas pollution,” said Bend resident Marilyn Koenitzer. “It also helps fight climate change.”

"The list of hazards posed by combustion of natural gas is long—ranging from health dangers to wildfire risk to climate change," said Ken Wilkins, a board member of 350 Deschutes, who lauded the push to electrify new construction. "City Council is on the cusp of a bold decision that will have a significant positive effect on the quality of life of buyers of new homes."

“I love how this fee incentivizes innovation” commented another community member, Nate Springer.  ““As a homeowner I wish this fee existed when I bought a home, because then I could have chosen [all electric]… instead I have higher energy costs, I have a higher impact on the climate.”

The Climate Pollution Fee will take effect starting April 1, 2027, the same date that the state’s updated residential energy code will take effect. Both signal a shift towards efficient and strategic building electrification to support state decarbonization and resiliency goals outlined in ODOE’s State Energy Strategy.