Dozens of residents urged the Bend City Council on Dec. 3 to adopt a strong Climate Impact Fee to discourage natural-gas infrastructure in new housing, while builders and trades urged caution and more local analysis.

Supporters emphasized public-health and climate benefits. Peter Fargo, environmental and energy program manager for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, cited recent Stanford research and a paper in Science and told council that "a single gas cooktop burner on high ... can raise indoor levels of the carcinogen benzene above the levels of secondhand smoke." Retired flight nurse Julianne Marotte Grama said clinicians have seen illnesses tied to methane exposure and called benzene a "toxic carcinogen," urging council to prioritize residents’ health.

Youth and community activists from Energize Bend and local schools framed the fee as an equity and climate measure. Student speakers and organizers said the fee would fund transitions for low- and moderate-income households and help Bend meet emissions targets in the Community Climate Action Plan.

Industry, builder and trades representatives urged more study. Morgan Greenwood, government affairs director for the Cascades East Association of Realtors, asked council to "pause the evaluation of any new development fees until the city has completed the necessary cost analysis, resiliency evaluation, and community education on the electrification goals and impacts." David Berger of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290 said the city's own study showed higher upfront construction costs for fully electric homes and recommended pilot programs to collect localized data on costs and grid impacts.

Garrett Mosher, speaking for local builders, recommended a pilot partnership with home builders to test costs and grid performance before imposing fees that could affect housing production.

Why it matters: Council members said during and after the public comment period that the topic will receive further discussion at a Dec. 10 work session (no public comment expected) where staff and council will delve into the modeling, rate assumptions and potential implementation paths.

Next steps: Council directed staff to continue analysis; the council scheduled a work session on Dec. 10 to review electrification and the Climate Impact Fund materials.