Take action for air quality standards in Multnomah County!

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We have an opportunity in Multnomah County to protect our clean air and climate by cleaning up the pollution from our homes and businesses. Burning fossil fuels for heating and water heating in Oregon homes and buildings generates as much lung-damaging nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution as the state’s combined cement manufacturing and power generation. Thankfully our county can lead the way for the rest of Oregon by establishing healthy air standards for appliances, but only if they hear from you: send them a message now and tell them to act to reduce outdoor pollution coming from inside our homes and businesses.

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Take Action to Protect Public Health and Climate!

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Chair Vega Pederson and Multnomah County Commissioners, I am writing to voice my strong support for the county to pass a resolution emphasizing the significant health and climate risks posed by the continued use of methane gas, and directing staff to begin development of policies to transition homes and buildings in the county to clean electric alternatives. It has been over a year since the Multnomah County Health Department released a damning report on the health impacts of burning methane “natural” gas in homes and buildings. Please take action to protect public health and our climate, and regulate polluting gas appliances. As stated in the report, gas appliances generate significant amounts of both indoor and outdoor NOx pollution, which has negative effects on public health, and can lead to asthma and other respiratory health issues, among other things. Homes and buildings in Multnomah County contribute significantly to this harmful pollution, generating nearly 1,000 tons of NOx pollution annually – more than any other stationary source type in the county, and nearly 40% of all county-wide stationary source emissions. One in 10 adults in Multnomah County report an asthma diagnosis, making the disease among the most prevalent chronic illnesses in the county. Because NOx exposure can cause asthma attacks, reducing NOx emissions from buildings and other sources should be a priority in the county. Gas appliances in homes and buildings are also the second largest source of climate pollution in the county, and across the state. Please take action to protect public health and our climate and direct staff to begin developing policy to establish clean air standards and transition buildings to clean, electric alternatives to gas. Thank you for your consideration,

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