Did you see it? The New York Times just mapped the extreme weather across the country in 2021, and Oregon’s record-breaking heat wave topped the list. The extreme heat waves that killed 107 Oregonians and broke temperature records across the state, also contributed to a particularly devastating wildfire season that burned over 10x more acreage than the year prior. These tragic events make clear that the climate crisis is growing, and we need more action at all levels to meet the challenge, which is why I’m writing to you today. The Oregon legislature is about to convene for a short month-long session, and we must make sure they make more climate progress.
Buildings are Oregon’s second-largest source of climate and air pollution, predominantly from burning methane gas and other fossil fuels. Buildings are also our first line of defense from climate harms. The key to mitigating climate emissions and protecting communities from climate-fueled wildfire smoke and extreme temperatures is to build more energy efficient, climate-friendly buildings.
Please join us in calling on your legislators to pass
the Reach code bill for climate-friendly buildings!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SENATE BILL 1518
Building codes are a critical tool to ensure buildings are constructed efficiently and well-insulated from the start. Numerous Oregon cities from Bend to Beaverton want to require stronger energy efficiency building standards within their jurisdictions, but Oregon’s existing state policies are holding them back. In conjunction with housing justice and energy affordability programs, the Reach code bill would allow Oregon cities and counties to move faster on climate action by opting into more efficient building standards, reducing their climate and air pollution while also saving homeowners money on energy costs for decades to come. Please contact your legislator today and demand they take climate action this year.
2021 was not just a big year for Oregon due to the deadly climate impacts; we also made tremendous climate progress last year! Countless hours of advocacy by supporters of climate action like you helped our state:
- Commit to a firm timeline for adopting 100% clean electricity,
- Renew state electric vehicle (EV) rebate and energy efficiency programs that were set to expire, and
- Enact sweeping Clean Truck and Low NOx rules to reduce pollution from medium- and heavy-duty trucks,
…among several other major climate and environmental justice wins.
The state legislature failed to pass the Reach code bill last session, however, leaving cities without this critical tool for another year. We advocated for some huge climate wins in 2021, but the climate crisis doesn’t take a year off, and neither can our elected leaders. We need climate action every year to ensure this beautiful place we call home is livable for everyone, today and into the future.
