Take Action Today
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Take Action Today *
The City of Bend is considering adopting a common sense policy to help reduce emissions and the cost of living in our city. Specifically, the City is considering what they’re calling a Climate Impact Fee.
The policy would establish an extra charge for new residential buildings constructed with gas appliances in order to incentivize the use of clean, affordable, and energy efficient appliances like heat pumps. Any revenue from the fee will go towards a fund that supports energy efficiency upgrades in the community.
Right now, city analyses show that the vast majority of new buildings are being constructed with fossil fuel appliances: 95% of new single-family homes, 88% of new townhomes, and 76% of new duplexes are being built with gas in Bend. This trend backpeddles on all of our local and state climate goals, and what science tells us is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. It also contradicts analyses finding that show all-electric construction is cheaper as the cost of natural gas continues to increase.
Pass A Climate Impact Fee
We the undersigned support the adoption of a Climate Impact Fee on new residential construction using fossil fuels based on the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions in Bend. Phasing out natural gas appliances is one of the key strategies to reducing emissions in Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan, and Oregon’s State Energy Strategy found that any delay in adopting all-electric technologies will increase costs for our community. Specifically, this policy would:
1. Support Bend to meet its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) goals, reducing both greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and cost-of-living pressures.
2. Incentivize high efficiency electric construction which would reduce up front and operating costs in new homes.
3. Generate revenue to support energy efficiency and weatherization for Bend’s existing homes.
Please pass this policy as quickly as possible to reduce our emissions and energy costs.
Still want to do more? We gotchu!
Pass a Climate Impact Fee.
City Council needs to hear from you, and coming to City Hall to show your support for climate action is one of the most important ways to keep our electeds accountable. Join us at one of our events to learn the ropes and come to City Hall with a crew.
End Gas Subsidies.
Did you know that Cascade Natural Gas subsidizes the cost of new gas infrastructure? This practice contradicts state climate goals & deprives consumers of real energy choice. Tell our Public Utility Commission to end the dirty discount today.
Learn More.
Knowledge is power! Check out our resource hub to learn more about the nuts and bolts of electrification and the steps we are taking to mobilize community members around the clean energy transition.
“If we want to see change in our lives, we have to change things ourselves”
-Grace Lee Boggs
There is a future of abundant, clean energy that improves lives and minimizes harm. Electrification is the solution to transition off scarce, polluting fossil fuels and ensure a better future.