Support Ashland Youth for Electrification:
Rogue Climate Action Team (RCAT) is campaigning to pass a policy that will reduce the amount of polluting fossil fuel emissions permitted in new residential buildings in Ashland. This policy will move forward impactful climate action while improving indoor air quality, public health, and affordability for our communities.
By setting limits for polluting emissions in new residential construction, we can ensure that our city is building smart from the start.
Climate Action:
This ordinance 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.
Indoor Air Quality and Public Health:
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.
Affordability:
Building new homes with electricity as a primary energy source 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.