Ashland Youth Rally for All-Electric Homes: Pushing for Cleaner, Cheaper Living

ASHLAND, Ore. — An Ashland youth rally planned for Tuesday, February 4, seeks to draw attention to the scheduled vote on the ordinance incentivizing efficient, all-electric construction.

The speakers at the rally will address climate action themes and encourage support for the ordinance.

Ashland Energy Efficient Construction Equipment Ordinance

The proposed youth-championed ordinance seeks to reduce construction costs, lower energy bills, and improve community health and safety by encouraging developers to build with efficient electric appliances rather than polluting gas.

The final vote is Tuesday, but the council unanimously approved the policy’s first reading last month.

The young rally organizers proposed the ordinance could cut climate pollution and reduce construction costs by $1600 per home, saving households around $390 annually on energy bills.

Championed by the Rogue Climate Action Team, a group of Ashland high school students, the climate policy action campaign launched in Spring 2023 with a 400-student walkout.

Over 1,000 signatures supporting climate action in Ashland have been collected since then, and the organizers plan to present these signatures at the final vote.

The youth rally and Ashland City Council’s final voting on the ordinance occur next Tuesday at 1175 E Main St, Ashland, Oregon. Interviews scheduled during the rally include:

• Maroun Aguero, Rogue Valley Organizer, Rogue Climate
• Piper Banks, Youth Organizer, Rogue Climate Action Team
• Norah Doyle, Youth Organizer, Rouge Climate Action Team
• Jess Grady-Benson, Organizing Director of Rogue Climate
• Kiera Retiz, Youth Organizer, Rogue Climate Action Team

The action is expected to inspire other Oregon cities to consider implementing measures for efficient, pollution-free homes.

The youth hope that communities across the state will pass policies that cut pollution, lower building costs, and improve energy affordability.