ASHLAND, Ore. — A group of passionate young climate advocates in Ashland is celebrating a hard-fought victory after the city council voted unanimously to pass a new ordinance that will impose a fee on new residential homes that install natural gas appliances.
The vote on Tuesday night marks a pivotal moment in the Rogue Climate Action Team’s years-long campaign to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. The youth group, spearheaded by Ashland High School senior Piper Banks, has pushed for bold action in the face of the climate crisis, and their efforts culminated in the adoption of the pollution fee. This fee, which applies to homes that choose to install natural gas appliances like water heaters or ovens, is designed to incentivize cleaner energy choices and help the city meet its climate goals.
“This is a huge win for Ashland and for the climate,” said Banks, a key organizer of the initiative. “The fee is a step toward making sure we’re reducing our carbon emissions and creating a sustainable future.”
While the group initially aimed for a full ban on natural gas appliances in new homes and buildings, city staff and council members decided a fee-based approach would be more legally feasible. This method has been successfully used in cities like Burlington, Vermont, to reduce carbon emissions without overstepping legal boundaries. The fee, which will vary depending on the type of appliance and its emissions, could reach as high as $4,000 for a gas furnace. The money raised will go into a city program that helps low-income residents with energy costs.
The ordinance has faced strong opposition from the natural gas utility Avista, which serves Ashland, as well as union members in the construction industry. Avista’s spokesperson, Steve Vincent, cautioned that the new policy could have significant consequences, urging the council to hold off on the decision. “We should be exploring decarbonization solutions together,” Vincent said.
Union member Albert Nicholson, who works in construction, echoed similar concerns. “Yes, it might cost the homeowners a little more to build a house with gas, but in the long run, it’s cheaper,” he argued, pointing to the stability of natural gas prices compared to fluctuations in electricity rates.
However, the city’s own electric utility, which hasn’t raised rates since 2021, provides a more stable alternative to natural gas. Innovations in electric heating technologies, such as heat pumps, have also made electric-powered homes just as energy-efficient as those using gas.
Despite the opposition, city council members were largely supportive of the ordinance, seeing it as a crucial first step toward reducing Ashland’s carbon emissions. Council-member Jeff Dahle emphasized the importance of holding homebuilders accountable for their environmental impact. “With freedom of choice comes responsibility,” he said. “This fee makes sure builders are taking responsibility for the emissions they create.”
As the council members made their final vote, members of the Rogue Climate Action Team celebrated outside, proudly marking a major milestone in their ongoing efforts to combat climate change. Organizing Director Jess Grady-Benson addressed the group, reminding them of the challenges ahead. “We need to hold onto this feeling of success. It’s tough out there, but moments like this show us what’s possible when we come together.”
Looking ahead, the group hopes this ordinance is only the beginning. They view it as a model that can be replicated in other small towns across the country, proving that local action can make a difference in the fight against climate change.
The ordinance is a bold move for a small town like Ashland, and its passage signals a growing shift toward sustainability in local governance. As other communities look to address climate change, Ashland’s decision offers a hopeful example of how grassroots activism and forward-thinking policies can intersect to create lasting change.
