VICTORY!

On February 18th, the Ashland City Council unanimously passed the youth-led policy to incentive all-electric new homes! The Carbon Pollution Impact Fee will cut pollution, help lower building costs, and boost energy efficiciency in newly constructed homes. The policy encourages new homes to be built with modern, energy-efficient electric applinaces, which both lowers energy blls and reduces building costs. This comes after two years of youth-led community organizing; showing up to city council meetings, giving testimony, holding rallies and walk-outs, and working to hold the city accountable to its climate goals.

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TAKE ACTION: SEND A THANK YOU TO THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

Black and white cut out of youth standing behind a banner that says "Ashland Youth for Electrification." Black text on yellow background says: "Clean Air for our future! Speak up for youth climate action in Ashland. Help pass the Climate & Clean Air Package."
What is the Pollution Fee ordinance, and why do we want it?

The Pollution Fee is an essential component of the Climate & Clean Air Policy Package that would bring many climate and health benefits to our city.

It would incentivize building new homes with energy efficient electric appliances, by charging a fee for those who choose to install gas appliances. That means most newly constructed homes would have clean air and affordable energy. Passing this ordinance is an important win for the city, and will pave the way for Ashland to continue to work towards meeting its climate goals.

  

The Climate & Clean Air Policy Package

The Ashland Youth for Electrification Campaign is advocating for Ashland City Council to pass the Climate & Clean Air Package, a group of policies that would reduce fossil fuel use in the city.

This will improve air quality, support youth climate action, and increase energy efficiency and affordability in our communities.

The Climate & Clean Air Package will include:

  • A low NOx emissions standard to limit indoor air pollution in new homes.
  • A pollution fee for connecting new homes to gas hookups. The fee would fund energy-efficiency upgrades for low-income households in Ashland.
  • No new gas pipes along public streets and sidewalks in Ashland starting by the end of 2025.
  • A resolution to reduce fossil fuels in existing homes and new commercial and industrial buildings in the future.

Reasons to pass the Climate & Clean Air Policy Package

A group of youth in a city plaza holding a large banner that says "Ashland Youth for Electrification." The sign is in the middle of the group, with blue text and a large yellow sun with yellow and orange rays made out of hand prints. There are other smaller climate protest signs interspersed throughout the group.

Clean Air and Public Health

Everyone deserves to breathe healthy air inside their homes.

The use of fossil fuel gas to power home appliances is a significant source of harmful indoor air and climate pollution. Passing a limit on the amount of toxic pollutants that new homes can emit is an opportunity to improve the health of our communities.

Studies show the long-term health risks of living with household gas appliances like gas stoves, which produce pollutants like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and more–even when they are turned off. Living in homes with gas appliances increases the risk for childhood asthma (by 42%), blood cancers, heart disease, and dementia, among other concerning health hazards.

 

A group of youth in a city plaza holding a large banner that says "Ashland Youth for Electrification." The sign is in the middle of the group, with blue text and a large yellow sun with yellow and orange rays made out of hand prints. There are other smaller climate protest signs interspersed throughout the group.

Affordable Energy

Our communities need access to affordable and efficient ways to heat and cool our homes.

Building new homes with efficient electric appliances is cheaper, and saves money for tenants on utility bills. This is crucial to consider as we build more much needed affordable housing in our community.

A group of youth in a city plaza holding a large banner that says "Ashland Youth for Electrification." The sign is in the middle of the group, with blue text and a large yellow sun with yellow and orange rays made out of hand prints. There are other smaller climate protest signs interspersed throughout the group.

A Livable Future

Youth and our communities want clean air and a livable future! 

The Climate & Clean Air Policies would reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions from new residential construction, and will put the city on track to take action on the the commitments listed in the Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan.

According to the Oregon Department of Energy, residential and commercial buildings account for about one-third of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, and direct use of fossil gas creates 14 percent of the state’s GHG emissions. 

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Community Organizing Youth Internship ’25

Community Organizing Youth Internship ’25

Oct 22, 2024

Winter 2025 Community Organizing Youth Internship - Rogue Valley January 24 - March 21, 2025 Rogue Climate and Rogue Action Center (RAC) are hosting a winter Community Organizing Youth Internship open to all youth ages 14 - 30 located in the Rogue Valley. Apply by...

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