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."

Help 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 lessen 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.
The city needs to hear from you. Email your comment to Ashland City Council and tell them why you support the Climate & Clean Air 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 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 any NOx pollution above a certain level. Instead, new housing developers would install efficient electric equipment for heating, cooking, and cooling.
  • 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, cooking, and cooling instead of relying on gas-powered appliances. This would drastically improve air quality and public health while saving residents money on energy bills. Lessening our city’s dependency on fossil fuels is a first step towards meeting the climate crisis.

More reasons to pass the Climate & Clean Air Package:

Climate Action:

This policy package 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 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 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.

Upcoming Events:

Past Events:

What’s the Big Deal about Gas?
Thursday, February 29

CUÁNDO: Thursday, Feb. 29| 6:00 – 8:00 PM
DÓNDE: UCC Ashland| 717 Siskiyou Blvd | Ashland, OR

Join community members for an interactive worskshop focusing on the consequences of using gas in our homes - and take action with Ashland Youth for Electrification.

This workshop will include hands on activities, visual boards, resource tables, video presentations, and small group discussion.

Learn more about Ashland Youth for Electrification Campaign and how you can take action to reduce fossil fuel use in Ashland.

 

 

Rally for Climate & Clean Air!
Wednesday, September 13

CUÁNDO: Wednesday, Sept. 13| 2:00 – 4:00 PM
DÓNDE: Lithia Park (Across from Skout) | Ashland, OR

Stand with Ashland youth, who have been fighting for the future of our communities by pressuring the city to adopt a policy to transition new homes off of fossil fuels.

Join the rally to show that you support transitioning new homes away from fossil fuels, and to pressure Ashland’s Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC) to immediately take the next steps to make this policy a reality.

 

 

Community Action Gathering #2
Sunday, July 30

CUÁNDO: Sunday, July 30| 3:00 – 5:00 PM
DÓNDE: The Ashland Library | 410 Siskiyou Blvd | Ashland, OR

Ashland Juventud para la Electrificación is hosting another Community Action Gathering this Sunday, July 30th, and you’re invited!

Want to learn more about what an electrification and clean air ordinance would mean for the city of Ashland? Join the event for presentations about the campaign, and ways to get involved with local climate action.

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