In the Media: A gas utility’s astroturf campaign threatens Oregon’s first electrification ordinance


by Joseph Winters, Newsletter Reporter
Originally published on Grist.org, March 7, 2023

Last month, Eugene became the first city in Oregon to pass an ordinance requiring new residential buildings to be fossil fuel-free. But the policy may never go into effect — not if the natural gas industry gets its way.

Press Release: Eugene becomes first city in Oregon to phase out gas in new construction as electrification movement grows


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2023

Eugene, Ore. — The City of Eugene voted five to three tonight to phase out fossil fuels like gas in new homes and buildings, a historic step that will cut climate pollution, improve air quality, and lower utility bills for households. The vote from the City Council delivered a major victory to the dozens of climate, environmental justice, health, housing and racial justice groups who organized for more than two years in favor of the policy.

Press Release: Eugene City Council Hears Overwhelming Support for Healthy Homes Policy


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2023

Eugene, OR — Over 100 community members rallied ahead of a Eugene City Council hearing last night to support the city’s proposed policy to phase out gas in new homes over climate and health concerns. At the rally, 63 people testified in support of the proposed ordinance, providing hours of testimony to the council about the benefits of electrification. 

Opinion: Electrify Your Home to Benefit the Climate, Your Health and Your Wallet


by Bethany Cotton, Conservation Director for Cascadia Wildlands
Originally published in The Register-Guard, October 2, 2022.

If you are feeling helplessness about the state of the world, it’s understandable. In the past few weeks alone we have witnessed large swaths of Oregon blanketed by toxic air pollution yet again, hurricane Fiona leaving Puerto Rico without electricity and the Dominican Republic without drinkable water, one third of Pakistan still submerged by flood waters, four million people in Japan under evacuation and Alaska experiencing unprecedented flooding because of typhoons.

Press Release: Eugene City Council Advances Policy to Transition New Construction to All-Electric, Sets Ambitious Targets for Decarbonizing Existing Buildings


July 27, 2022 — In a major step toward a clean energy future, the Eugene City Council voted today to move forward with a suite of measures advancing the transition off of gas in homes and buildings. The motions include one directing staff to draft ordinance language to mandate that all new homes be constructed 100% electric by June 1, 2023; a second advancing conversations to transition new commercial and industrial construction to require all electric; and a third directing the City Manager

Opinion: Eugene must act now to address climate change


by Bethany Cotton, Conservation Director for Cascadia Wildlands
Originally published in The Register-Guard, March 26, 2022.

The city of Eugene is suffering from the same chronic inaction on climate change as the global community, referred to by the United Nations Environment Program as an adaptation gap: “the difference between actually implemented adaptation and a societally set goal.”  

Fossil Free Eugene & Lane County Seeks Coalition Coordinator


Download PDF Version Position Title: Coalition Coordinator, Fossil Free Eugene CoalitionLocation: Eugene, OR*This position is work from home, and coalition meetings are currently being held remotely due to the pandemic. … Continue reading Fossil Free Eugene & Lane County Seeks Coalition Coordinator

Victory for Eugene Climate Goals!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 9, 2021 Contacts:Dylan Plummer, Grassroots Organizer, Cascadia Wildlands; 541.531.1858, emailAvery Temple, Climate Justice Fellow, Cascadia Wildlands; 941.932.7331, email City of Eugene Hits Brakes on NW Natural Contract … Continue reading Victory for Eugene Climate Goals!