BEND, OR -- A proposed ordinance that would require Bend residents and businesses to collectively reduce fossil fuel use by 40% by the year 2030 got mixed reviews at Wednesday night's City Council meeting. The Bend Climate Action Ordinance could also require the city to enforce the ordinance for those that don’t comply.
Councilors Nathan Boddie, Barb Campbell, Doug Knight and Mayor Jim Clinton support the framework, but admit the Bend Climate Action Ordinance needs more work. Boddie said, “It’d not intended to sort of like hurl this onto the community and say, ‘here, do this’.” and, Mayor Clinton agreed, “You don’t do that by mandates. You do that by education.”
Councilor Casey Roats believes the business community needs to weigh-in. “I think we’re off on entirely the wrong foot. And we should have been hearing from EDCO and BEDAB and the very broad business community. Because this will have no legs; no political support and it will turn into a political football.”
They all agreed the city should set goals for fossil fuel reduction. City staff will work on wording changes and Councilors will again address the issue in July.
