For Immediate Release
April 13, 2023

Press Contact
Dylan Plummer, 541.531.1858, dylan.plummer@sierraclub.org

Eugene, Ore — Eugene community members, climate advocates, and elected officials launched the YES for Eugene campaign today, which aims to uphold local climate policy to transition new homes to clean energy in the face of an unprecedented fossil fuel-funded attack. Eugene residents will have the opportunity to affirm the city’s climate policy by voting yes on the Clean and Safe Homes Measure in November.

“NW Natural is pumping millions of dollars into an effort to roll back common sense climate policy designed to protect public health and address the climate crisis. This is just one of many examples of the threat fossil fuel companies pose to the democratic process and our climate. I am looking forward to working with the people of Eugene to oppose this anti-democratic attack on local leadership and to make sure every voter knows they have the opportunity to uphold this policy transitioning new homes to clean energy,” said Jane Fonda.

Building homes with electric heat pumps instead of gas furnaces cuts climate emissions from a single-family home by over 70% in 15 years – a greater emissions reduction than giving up a gasoline car. Gas appliances in homes and buildings are also a major source of air pollution, generating many of the same toxic pollutants as car exhaust.

Oregon’s largest gas utility, NW Natural, is bankrolling the effort to overturn Eugene’s clean energy policy for new homes at the ballot box. The fossil fuel company, which profits from expanding Eugene’s fossil fuel infrastructure by connecting new homes to the gas system, has already funneled more than $1 million into the a front group “Eugene Residents for Energy Choice,” and is likely to contribute millions more in the months to come.

“Youth activists like myself have been leading the charge to hold polluters like NW Natural accountable for fighting to roll back climate policy in Eugene. It’s our futures on the line, and we aren’t backing down. In the face of this fossil fuel funded attack on local policy, we are confident that our local organizing will succeed, and the city of Eugene will uphold this step in the transition to clean energy in homes,” said Lottie Rohde, a student at Churchill High School.

The launch of  YES for Eugene comes on the heels of yet another NW Natural gas rate hike, which went into effect last month, prompting widespread outrage from community members. In just 18 months, NW Natural customers have seen gas bills jump by more than 40%. The Clean and Safe Home Measure will help protect against Oregon’s growing utility bill affordability crisis by ensuring that new homes in Eugene are equipped to run on affordable clean energy, rather than expensive gas.

"Low-income communities in Eugene are really suffering due to high gas bills. NW Natural's repeated utility bill rate hikes have had a devastating impact on rates. Ensuring the homes Eugene builds today are equipped with highly-efficient electric heat pumps, which lock lower utility bills, is a commonsense step to expand access to energy affordability," said Jerrel  Brown, Environmental and Climate Justice Organizer, NAACP Eugene-Springfield. 

The city of Eugene is one of 100 cities across the country with measures on the books to ensure that new homes are equipped with electric appliances that can run on clean energy, but it is the first city in Oregon to take this key step for climate. The policy is part of the city’s efforts to achieve the climate commitments outlined in its Climate Action Plan and Climate Recovery Ordinance. 

In addition to cutting climate pollution and locking in more affordable energy bills, transitioning new homes to clean energy appliances like heat pumps will also reduce risks to public health and safety. A growing body of research has found that burning gas in homes and buildings greatly impacts air quality, and increases risk for respiratory disease.

"There is no longer any doubt that cooking with gas increases the risk of childhood asthma.  Asthma is a miserable problem which causes wheezing and shortness of breath,” said Dr. Doug Bovee, a local physician. “We need to do everything we can to prevent illness and wheezing attacks.”

Endorsers of the YES for Eugene campaign include Jane Fonda, Bill McKibben, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vins, 4J school board vice-chair Gordon Lafer, and more than 30 racial, environmental, and economic justice organizations. 

Learn more about the measure by visiting the YES for Eugene website. Find the full list of endorsements here.