Eugene has banned natural gas and other fossil-fuel infrastructure in new homes, townhomes and other residential structures no taller than three stories.
City councilors voted 5-3 Monday night to adopt an ordinance that would apply to building permit applications filed on or after June 30, 2023. They have cited concerns about climate change and public health for several years in discussions about decarbonization and electrification.
The vote came after the Council rejected a move to place the ordinance on the May ballot.
Councilwoman Emily Semple, who made the motion to approve the ordinance, said “it’s time to get this done and not deal with this anymore and deal with the rest of the package and other things we have to deal with.”
Other officials worry the move, which was not originally on the agenda for Monday night’s special meeting, will cause problems.
“I really hope it doesn’t blow up in our face, but I doubt it will set us back,” said Councilman Alan Zelenka, who made a failed motion to delay the vote but ultimately supported the ordinance. did .
Councilor Mike Clark, who voted against the ordinance, said its passage would divide people more than they are about the issue. Clark was forced to put the ban on the vote after officials testified on the proposed ordinance for hours at a public hearing, forcing them to continue it into a second session.
Those in support have expressed their arguments around health and society.
People opposed to the order focused on energy choices, security and pragmatism. They also argued that the council should allow residents to decide through a ballot.
What does the command do?
The ordinance prohibits fossil fuel infrastructure in new low-rise residential buildings. It will be effective for building permits submitted on or after June 30, 2023.
It defines fossil fuel infrastructure as “natural gas pipelines, flue gas pipelines, or other fossil fuel pipelines or an on-premises transmission system that connects a source of supply to a fossil fuel facility.”
Low-rise residential buildings are buildings not higher than three stories that contain one or more permanent residences, including:
- Separate houses for one and two families
- Single family houses (townhouses)
- Manufactured homes
- Multi-storey residential buildings
- The ordinance does not include mixed-use buildings where there are both retail and residential uses.
It does not include existing low-rise residential buildings.
This story will be updated.
Contact City Government Supervisor Megan Banta [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UTMAAUSQWFFXTH3SRMEX5YQU7Q.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CFNUPLRQRVGJVFSCOXRWPBEFIQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RKDYF22JBFEFVF75HIJNGV4SWQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5DLGOJZOU5A6FKM6XKBRQB7G4M.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VX5EQWMZRVDJRHABQEVGBU726E.bmp)
