In 2022 we're fighting to end our reliance on
fossil fuels!
CLIMATE PROGRESS IN EUGENE!
We did it! The Eugene City Council passed four resolutions to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions through building electrification during their July 27th work session!
Since January 2022, when 350 Eugene launched our Electrify Eugene Campaign, our grassroots organizers have been working tirelessly to engage the public to build massive support for local building electrification policy. On July 27th, with the courageous leadership of Councilors Syrett, Keating & Yeh, as well as Mayor Vinis, council took the first concrete step to advance such a policy. With the below resolutions, Eugene is now poised to be the first city in Oregon to pass solid emission-reducing ordinances! (This 2022 campaign is only the latest effort to demand real climate action since the passage of the Climate Recovery Ordinance in 2014.)
Here are the resolutions passed by Eugene City Council on July 27, 2022:
1. Direct city staff to draft ordinance language to require that new residential construction be all electric starting on June 1, 2023
2. Direct city manager to schedule work session in the fall to discuss prohibiting natural gas and all fossil fuel infrastructure in all new commercial buildings, including as part of that work session a potential waiver process, for buildings or uses that may not have feasible access to electric only options
3. Direct city manager to bring back a revision to the climate action plan that formalizes as a city goal the electrification of residential, and as feasible, commercial buildings by 2035, and industrial buildings by 2050
4. Direct city manager to return to council in the fall with a proposal for engaging the community in developing a plan for the transition of buildings to becoming decarbonized that has at its foundation social, environmental, and economic equity with emphasis on engagement of historically marginalized communities and their representatives
Links:
July 27 work session (no documents associated with this as it was scheduled to finish the conversation in the previous two work sessions).
July 25 work session (focused on new buildings in the City) agenda and staff presentation.
July 20 work session (focused on existing buildings) agenda with Good Company report on electrifying existing buildings (worth reading) and presentation from the good company and presentation from staff.
April 13 work session (first work session focused on new buildings, also looks at current makeup of Eugene's building stock and is very interesting) agenda and staff presentation.
Since January 2022, when 350 Eugene launched our Electrify Eugene Campaign, our grassroots organizers have been working tirelessly to engage the public to build massive support for local building electrification policy. On July 27th, with the courageous leadership of Councilors Syrett, Keating & Yeh, as well as Mayor Vinis, council took the first concrete step to advance such a policy. With the below resolutions, Eugene is now poised to be the first city in Oregon to pass solid emission-reducing ordinances! (This 2022 campaign is only the latest effort to demand real climate action since the passage of the Climate Recovery Ordinance in 2014.)
Here are the resolutions passed by Eugene City Council on July 27, 2022:
1. Direct city staff to draft ordinance language to require that new residential construction be all electric starting on June 1, 2023
2. Direct city manager to schedule work session in the fall to discuss prohibiting natural gas and all fossil fuel infrastructure in all new commercial buildings, including as part of that work session a potential waiver process, for buildings or uses that may not have feasible access to electric only options
3. Direct city manager to bring back a revision to the climate action plan that formalizes as a city goal the electrification of residential, and as feasible, commercial buildings by 2035, and industrial buildings by 2050
4. Direct city manager to return to council in the fall with a proposal for engaging the community in developing a plan for the transition of buildings to becoming decarbonized that has at its foundation social, environmental, and economic equity with emphasis on engagement of historically marginalized communities and their representatives
Links:
July 27 work session (no documents associated with this as it was scheduled to finish the conversation in the previous two work sessions).
July 25 work session (focused on new buildings in the City) agenda and staff presentation.
July 20 work session (focused on existing buildings) agenda with Good Company report on electrifying existing buildings (worth reading) and presentation from the good company and presentation from staff.
April 13 work session (first work session focused on new buildings, also looks at current makeup of Eugene's building stock and is very interesting) agenda and staff presentation.
WHAT'S NEXT?
There are more work sessions planned to sort through ordinance language, answer council questions and engage the public. This will be followed by an important public hearing and vote.We’re targeting the public hearing in the fall to impress the council that the public stands solidly in support of these measures.
Sign up for updates and follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to get the latest! Info on how to plug in! Save the dates for September City Council Meeting Public Forums coming September 12th and 26th.
It’s SHOWTIME: Electrify Eugene!
Sign up for updates and follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to get the latest! Info on how to plug in! Save the dates for September City Council Meeting Public Forums coming September 12th and 26th.
It’s SHOWTIME: Electrify Eugene!
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The seas are rising, and so are we.
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350 Eugene is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, started in 2013, that works toward climate justice by organizing people to make deep system change: transitioning off fossil fuels; advocating for needed strong climate policies; and fostering resilient, just, and welcoming communities with creative, artful & joy-filled outreach, education and events.
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Councilor Syrett takes down Northwest Natural for misleading advertising and being a bad-faith decarbonization partner
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