Pass 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.
Take Action!
We’re nearing the finish line! For months, youth organizers and community members have been demanding that Ashland draft the Climate and Clean Air Policy Package and put it on the agenda. Thanks to our organizing, the first reading of a draft policy is officially scheduled on the Ashland City Council agenda for Tuesday, January 21st. This will be followed by a second reading, and then a final vote. It’s crucial that community members continue to show up at the following meetings to ensure that the council stay on track to pass the policy package in full.
Give testimony and support youth led climate action at the last city council meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 17th at 5:30 PM!
Reasons to pass the Climate & Clean Air Policy Package
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.
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 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.
Clean air for our future!
What is a low NOx emissions standard, and why do we want one?
- What is NOx? NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) is pollution produced from burning fossil fuels that causes health problems including increased cases of childhood asthma and cancers. Household appliances that are run by gas produce NOx.
- What is a low NOx emissions standard? A low NOx emissions standard means that appliances like furnaces and water heaters installed in new homes cannot emit toxic NOx pollution above a certain level.
- Why do we want a low NOx emissions standard in new homes as part of the Climate & Clean Air Policy Package? A low NOx emissions standard would encourage developers to install efficient electric equipment in new homes for heating and cooling instead of using gas-powered appliances. This would drastically improve air quality and public health while saving residents money on energy bills. Plus, reducing fossil fuel use in new homes is a first step the city can take towards meeting the climate crisis.
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