CUB Urges Yes Vote on Reach Code Bill (SB 1518)
Posted on January 28, 2022 by Charlotte Shuff
Tags, Energy
CUB is engaging our readers to help advocate for this and other CUB priority bills in the 2022 Oregon legislative session. Learn about all the bills CUB is supporting and take action here!
Buildings are the second largest and longest lasting source of climate pollution in Oregon. Buildings often last for 50 years or more, affecting generations. New state legislation, the Reach Code Bill (SB 1518), seeks to help cities make buildings healthier for Oregonians and the environment.
The Reach Code Bill will let local governments set stronger building and energy codes. Building codes set standards for safety, air quality, and energy efficiency. A Reach Code goes beyond the baseline and holds buildings to higher energy and safety standards.
Stronger energy codes mean buildings use less energy and are healthier for their whole lifespan. Because buildings last for 50+ years, a poorly built building can have a big impact for a long time. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings now will affect generations of Oregon residents. Many buildings built without higher energy standards will need to be upgraded down the line. Retrofitting (making an existing building more energy efficient) can be very expensive.
More efficient new buildings save utility customers money. With energy efficient buildings, residents spend less on monthly energy bills because it takes less energy to heat and cool their homes. Energy efficiency in new buildings costs less up front and means fewer expensive retrofits later. This saves all utility customers money by reducing our future need for energy upgrade programs.
Reach codes make buildings more resilient in extreme weather. Building more efficient homes can help protect Oregonians from extreme heat and extreme cold. For many, living in a place with little insulation can be life threatening, as we saw in the record-breaking heat wave of 2021. More efficient buildings can also help protect from wildfire smoke and other effects of our changing climate.
Oregon cities are leading the push for a state Reach Code. This bill makes it easy for cities to choose to adopt higher standards for their buildings. Communities throughout the state—including Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, Ashland, Bend, Hood River, Mosier, Milwaukie, Portland, and Beaverton—have been asking for the freedom to choose to go further, with better energy efficient buildings.
The Reach Code Bill will help cities meet their climate goals, save utility customers money, and make cities healthier and more resilient. CUB supports SB 1518 and urges legislators to vote “yes” on the Reach Code Bill.
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02/01/22 | 0 Comments | CUB Urges Yes Vote on Reach Code Bill (SB 1518)