Fossil Free Eugene
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Emissions from fossil methane (“natural gas”) in buildings is one of the fastest sources of GHGs in the state. The City of Eugene has had a Climate Action Plan since 2010, but there is a significant gap between where we are and where we need to be, with no concrete plans to actually reach our target. With over one-third of our GHG emissions coming from residential, commercial and industrial buildings, we have an opportunity to end our reliance on fossil methane for space and water heating in new residential buildings through common sense changes in our building codes. Since late 2020, 350 Eugene has been working in a local intersectional movement coalition, Fossil Free Eugene, to build support and provide the city staff with resources to pass policy to mandate we equitably decarbonize our buildings, starting with new residential in 2023.
Through meetings with councilors, commenting at city council public forums, letters to the editor, postcard campaigns, community engagement & education through creative messaging and art, we've built massive momentum for this transformative change. Cities and policy makers throughout Oregon are now looking to Eugene to set the stage for other electrification efforts that will be essential to meeting local and statewide emissions reductions goals. Eugene would join almost 100 other communities that have proposed or implemented such building codes.
To their credit, on February 6, 2023, Eugene City Council passed an ordinance 5-3 to change building codes to allow only electric appliances in new low-rise residential building starting this June 30th. Mayor Vinis signed it into law on February 7th. But an astroturf group, Eugene Residents for Energy Choice, launched a campaign to collect signatures to send the ordinance to the citizens for a vote in the November election, hoping to delay and confuse the issue. This is a waste of resources, subverts normal democratic policy-making decisions, and delays implementation of this popular and common sense policy.
We think Eugeneians know better, and see the misinformation campaign for what it is: the machinations of a dying industry, which would be better served by embracing the clean energy revolution now.
Through meetings with councilors, commenting at city council public forums, letters to the editor, postcard campaigns, community engagement & education through creative messaging and art, we've built massive momentum for this transformative change. Cities and policy makers throughout Oregon are now looking to Eugene to set the stage for other electrification efforts that will be essential to meeting local and statewide emissions reductions goals. Eugene would join almost 100 other communities that have proposed or implemented such building codes.
To their credit, on February 6, 2023, Eugene City Council passed an ordinance 5-3 to change building codes to allow only electric appliances in new low-rise residential building starting this June 30th. Mayor Vinis signed it into law on February 7th. But an astroturf group, Eugene Residents for Energy Choice, launched a campaign to collect signatures to send the ordinance to the citizens for a vote in the November election, hoping to delay and confuse the issue. This is a waste of resources, subverts normal democratic policy-making decisions, and delays implementation of this popular and common sense policy.
We think Eugeneians know better, and see the misinformation campaign for what it is: the machinations of a dying industry, which would be better served by embracing the clean energy revolution now.
Fracked Gas Resistance
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There is a new pipeline fight in the Pacific Northwest, and we’re the Resistance!
What’s the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress Expansion Project?
It’s a 1,377 mile interstate gas pipeline expansion project designed to increase throughput of fossil gas starting in British Columbia and running to Malin, Oregon to supply more planet-heating methane to users in California. It’s wholly owned by TC Energy, formerly Transcanada. (Remember the Keystone XL pipeline?) The plan is to replace some existing compressor stations and add a new one to accommodate greater capacity. Sounds climate-safe, right? Not.
Communities along the route in Washington, Idaho and Oregon are organizing to resist a project that would commit us to more gas emissions than our planet can afford. This project is inconsistent with Oregon's Climate Protection Plan.
Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate are the organizations with staff leading the charge. Stay tuned for opportunities to engage.
What’s the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress Expansion Project?
It’s a 1,377 mile interstate gas pipeline expansion project designed to increase throughput of fossil gas starting in British Columbia and running to Malin, Oregon to supply more planet-heating methane to users in California. It’s wholly owned by TC Energy, formerly Transcanada. (Remember the Keystone XL pipeline?) The plan is to replace some existing compressor stations and add a new one to accommodate greater capacity. Sounds climate-safe, right? Not.
Communities along the route in Washington, Idaho and Oregon are organizing to resist a project that would commit us to more gas emissions than our planet can afford. This project is inconsistent with Oregon's Climate Protection Plan.
Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate are the organizations with staff leading the charge. Stay tuned for opportunities to engage.
Divest Oregon
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Divest Oregon is a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations representing unions with PERS members, racial and climate justice groups, youth leaders and faith communities advocating for the Oregon State Treasury to divest its $140 billion from fossil fuels. Eugene 350 is a coalition member and you can join individually, too.
The Asks:
1. Immediately: No NEW investments in fossil fuels.
2. Annually release a public list of all portfolio holdings in every asset class.
3. Transparently phase out of all publicly traded CURRENT fossil fuel investments six months after bill passage and all private fossil fuels investments by 2035. Move to climate-safe investments, using a social justice framework that accounts for the climate impacts on frontline communities across the state, including rural communities and communities of color.
How we get there:
Oregon’s fossil fuel investments are not fully transparent, but you can learn more.
https://www.divestoregon.org/treasurys-private-investment-problem-report
https://www.divestoregon.org/report
https://www.divestoregon.org/climaterisk
Support the 2003 Oregon Treasury Investment and Climate Protection Act: https://www.divestoregon.org/treasury-investment-climate-protection-act
PERS Members, retirees, and beneficiaries support “Your Right to Know” campaign: https://www.divestoregon.org/right-to-know-campaign
The Asks:
1. Immediately: No NEW investments in fossil fuels.
2. Annually release a public list of all portfolio holdings in every asset class.
3. Transparently phase out of all publicly traded CURRENT fossil fuel investments six months after bill passage and all private fossil fuels investments by 2035. Move to climate-safe investments, using a social justice framework that accounts for the climate impacts on frontline communities across the state, including rural communities and communities of color.
How we get there:
Oregon’s fossil fuel investments are not fully transparent, but you can learn more.
https://www.divestoregon.org/treasurys-private-investment-problem-report
https://www.divestoregon.org/report
https://www.divestoregon.org/climaterisk
Support the 2003 Oregon Treasury Investment and Climate Protection Act: https://www.divestoregon.org/treasury-investment-climate-protection-act
PERS Members, retirees, and beneficiaries support “Your Right to Know” campaign: https://www.divestoregon.org/right-to-know-campaign
Electric Transportation Action Group (E-TAG)
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E-TAG works on the city, county, and state levels on electric transportation issues. Currently we are in our “Drive Electric” campaign – we hit the streets with Burma Shave style signs that encourage drivers to think about purchasing a new or used EV (see pics below!). If you wish to join us, you can contact Sid Baum.
Our members inform our local utilities about the coming demands for electricity for EV buses, garbage trucks and other service type vehicles. We promote public awareness of where to purchase used EVs and when the public can come to “see and drive” events (offered by us or others). We are currently meeting once a month by zoom and you are welcome to join us! Contact us at: e-tag@350eugene.org You can also join our Facebook group here. There is also a local EV Association and we encourage you to check them out – Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association (EVEVA). |
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Resilience and Regeneration
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350 Eugene Resilience Workgroup recommends resources to increase the capacity for mental/emotional wellness and mitigate trauma associated with the climate emergency.
Kathleen Dean Moore - Author, Moral Philosopher, Environmental Advocate Willamette Farm and Food Coalition facilitates and secures the development of secure, sustainable, and inclusive food systems Francis Weller - community building & soul work Joanna Macy and her Work Michael Meade Mosaic Voices Provides mythic imagination and healing stories in this time of polarization and great uncertainty. The Trauma Healing Project - Eugene - trainings & resources Cascadia Quest - Eugene - Adult grieving ceremonies, community & leadership trainings centered in nature & regenerative practices |
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