We have examples from across the country and worldwide that ought to close the confidence gap once and for all: yes, clean energy technologies work during cold weather.
Clean buildings
Heating and powering our homes and businesses generates a lot of our climate-changing pollution; our built environment is a major contributor to global warming. If our homes and buildings were carbon-free and energy efficient, we would significantly reduce our climate pollution, drastically cut energy costs for owners and renters, and improve air quality where we live and work.
For example, in both Oregon and Washington State, climate-worsening pollution from buildings are growing at a faster rate than any other source, with this increase largely attributable to the use of fossil gas in homes and buildings. Burning fossil gas in homes and buildings is not only a significant contributor to climate change, but also poses significant health risks for our communities, children, and other vulnerable populations.
Indoor air quality issues are particularly concentrated for low-income residents in smaller units with poor ventilation. Communities of color are already disproportionately impacted by outdoor air pollution, and should not continue to be disproportionately harmed by poor indoor air quality as well. Gas appliances also worsen our outdoor air quality. For example, California’s residential appliances releasing more than two times as many NOx emissions as all of their gas power plants combined, and commercial gas appliances releasing just as much NOx pollution as all of California’s cars.
States and many cities in the region and around the country are increasingly looking at ensuring all new buildings are electric as a key cost-effective pathway for achieving their local or state greenhouse emissions goals. Electrifying buildings is critical to addressing climate change, but it is also achievable, affordable, safe, and creates a more resilient energy system.
We are working with lawmakers and community partners to move rapidly toward electrifying our buildings for heating, cooling and cooking. We can also construct homes and buildings that get all their energy from sustainable sources, and even produce as much energy as they use — net zero energy buildings.
Hey Oregon, Speak up for Building Resilience! Email your Legislator
We think you’ll agree: Every single Oregonian deserves to be protected from the climate crisis.
Speak up for Climate Action! Email your Legislator in Oregon
Did you know the Oregon Legislature hasn’t updated our state climate goals in over 15 years?
Advocates urge Oregon regulators to reject NW Natural’s risky investment plan
In Support of Public Utility Commission Staff’s Analysis, Climate Advocates Call on Commissioners to Require the Major Gas Utility to Develop a Realistic Long-term Investment Plan to Meet State
A success story: investing in climate progress
As Washington State books historic investments in clean energy, federal courts weigh in on city- and state-led efforts to counter the power of fossil fuels
$2 Billion in climate and clean energy, coming to you!
That’s a wrap: 2023 Washington legislative session ends with unprecedented dollars for climate and clean energy development
2023 Oregon Legislative Priorities
We’re officially halfway through the 2023 legislative session here in Oregon, and there is A LOT to report about where we’re at on climate action.
🎬 Not so "natural" gas?
The fossil fuel industry promotes methane — commonly referred to as "natural gas" — as a safe and healthy source of energy. However, using methane has major negative health and environmental consequences.
🎬 Electric heat pumps are magic
An electric heat pump can help you live in comfort year-round, while also releasing less pollution and saving you money on energy costs.
Improving Oregon’s Homes and Buildings for our Climate and Communities
Oregonians deserve healthy, affordable, resilient buildings that run on clean energy.
The biggest investment—ever—in clean energy coming to WA communities
Our last blog of the CCA series where we dig into the “invest” side of the cap-and-invest equation.
