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Maintaining Energy Choice is Critical to a Cleaner, Affordable Future in Bend

Dear Bend City Council,

I stand with the vast majority of people in our community who know that affordability in energy matters, especially right now. We also know that a diversified energy system is fundamentally stronger, competitive in price, and more reliable. 

Every single dollar added to the cost of a new home pushes that dream farther out of reach for Bend families. Whether you’re a local teacher, plumber, nurse, brewer, park ranger or service worker, home prices in Bend are already out of reach for too many of us, even those with good paying jobs. 

We do not want new costs and added taxes on appliances that limit our energy choices. We need a balanced energy system that includes a mix of energy sources as we work to decarbonize. In our aspiration to reduce carbon emissions, city councilors must also weigh and determine the likely harms of natural gas bans to affordability and reliability. It’s a false choice and we can achieve continued carbon reductions through natural gas and renewable natural gas while striving for more affordability. 

Instead of imposing new tax fees, work together with leaders in energy, labor, engineering, renewables and more to provide our community with a diversified set of solutions. If those solutions include new local taxes and fees opposed by most Bend voters, we believe we should have a voice and a vote in that decision.