The EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD
EUGENE — A measure that would ban natural gas and other fossil fuel uses in some new residential construction in Eugene will appear on a future ballot.
Eugene Residents for Energy Choice submitted about 12,000 signatures for a referendum petition earlier this month. The Lane County Clerk’s Office verified at least 6,460 of those matched signatures from people registered to vote within Eugene, and the recorder has certified the petition.
Those pushing for the ordinance that the Eugene city council passed in February to go before a public vote were “overwhelmed” with the community support, according to a press release.
Their success means the city must hold off implementing the gas ban ordinance until a public vote or scrap it altogether, if voters reject the measure. The ballot measure is likely to appear on the November ballot.
Nearly 100 cities across the country have passed similar ordinances. Eugene was the first in Oregon to do so.
Supporters of the initial ordinance have criticized the petition committee, which they claim “exists solely to do NW Natural’s bidding.” The gas utility opposed the gas ban and donated more than $900,000 in cash and services to the campaign.
David Roy, NW Natural’s senior director of communications, called the claim that the committee is a front group “baffling” and said it’s a separate entity the utility is supporting because “we believe Eugene voters should have a say on this decision to ban gas in new homes.”
The ordinance prohibits fossil fuel infrastructure in new low-rise residential buildings. It would have taken effect for building permits submitted on or after June 30.
It defines fossil fuel infrastructure as “natural gas piping, fuel oil piping, or other fossil fuel piping or conveyance system within a building, that connects a source of supply to a fossil-fuel burning appliance.”
Low-rise residential buildings are ones no taller than three stories with one or more permanent dwelling units. The ordinance does not include mixed-used buildings where there are both retail and residential uses. It also does not include existing homes.
Jim Ball, one of three listed petitioners, said the ballot measure will give Eugene voters “the opportunity for their voices to be heard.”
Although officials heard testimony on the ordinance several times through public hearings and forums, opponents of the gas ban criticized the process and pushed for council to make it a ballot measure.
“It is good to see democracy working in our community,” Ball said in a statement.