Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package
Right now too many of our homes and places we gather put us at risk from the harms of climate change, like extreme heat that killed more than 100 Oregonians in the last two summers alone. The way we heat and cook with fossil fuels is making things worse, especially for lower-income and frontline communities. Homes and buildings are Oregon’s second largest source of climate pollution.
We’re advocating for statewide action so new construction is built smart from the start to be healthy and resilient, while cutting energy waste and lowering bills. We’re also working to make it easier and more affordable to update current homes and buildings to protect us from climate harms and transition to clean, efficient electricity for heating and cooling, hot water, and cooking. We must prioritize helping those most harmed by climate extremes and fossil fuels.
Oregon’s legislature must take action in 2023 to give more Oregonians access to more resilient and safer homes and buildings.
Building Performance Standards
Senate Bill 870
Set standards for energy efficiency and pollution reduction for large, commercial buildings, with enough transition time and financial incentives for owners to make the needed upgrades. This will significantly lower climate pollution from the buildings sector while creating good, family wage jobs that can’t be outsourced.
Healthy Heating & Cooling for All
Senate Bill 868
Sets a target to install 500,000 new heat pumps that will both heat and cool homes efficiently and affordably. Provides financial assistance and other help to purchase and install heat pumps and prioritizes low-income households and those at highest risk from extreme weather.
Build Smart from the Start
Senate Bill 869
Ensures that our state building codes for energy efficiency and materials in new construction align with our state climate goals, which is healthier for people, for climate and for family budgets. Requires the state Building Codes Division to look at ways to update codes to also improve indoor air quality and ventilation.
Smart State Buildings
Senate Bill 871
Taxpayer funded buildings should lead by example and demonstrate how increasing resilience and efficiency and transitioning to clean energy is feasible, affordable, and beneficial. This legislation makes it a priority to upgrade public buildings - including schools - for increased energy efficiency and safety. Oregon’s government will hold itself to the same standards as private industry for reducing energy waste and climate pollution in buildings.