Youth climate organizers made something amazing happen in Ashland last year. They moved the City Council to direct city staff to explore policies aimed at lessening the city’s fossil fuel use.
Now it’s time for the City Council to move forward.
Buildings are the second largest – and growing – source of climate pollution across Oregon. They also contribute significantly to health-damaging nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution, which is produced when methane gas is burned in our appliances.
And we all know the dangers of methane leaks.
In January, Ashland Youth for Electrification and the city’s Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC) sent a package of policy recommendations to the City Council. The Climate and Clean Air recommendations include an emissions standards for new homes, a commitment to ban new gas pipes along public streets and sidewalks starting in December 2025, and a pollution fee for connecting new homes to gas hookups (with the funds being used to pay for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades for low-income households). They also recommended a resolution to transition off of fossil fuels in existing buildings and new commercial and industrial construction in the future.
SAFE Cities at Stand.earth is proud to work with local advocates like Ashland Youth for Electrification – and people like you – to move our communities off fossil fuels.
This is a critical time for your voice so Councilors take action without delay.
Send your message now!
After you send your message, a local partner in Ashland may reach out about ways to help your voice go further.
