NW Natural Franchise at Corvallis City Council

[Christy Anderson Brekken]

Hello all,

You may be aware that the Corvallis public works staff is again recommending that the City Council approve a 10-year franchise agreement with NW Natural (see attached article in the Gazette Times). I have attended several of the work sessions, and it is disheartening to see the long-time councilors and the mayor dismissing the important implications of this decision, especially after we raised awareness about it at the end of 2022.

In better news, our newest councilors, and particularly my councilor Alison Bowden, has championed ending or amending the franchise agreement and needs our support. Council needs to hear that the community is paying attention and wants to assert our city’s authority over our energy sources.

I want to remind everyone that this is not just a climate pollution issue, but also a housing affordability and health equity issue. While all energy rates have been rising, methane gas is projected to rise at a faster rate and comes with local and indoor air pollution risks for sensitive populations. Corvallis is the most rent-burdened area in the state, and energy burden plays a huge role in housing affordability, safety, and health. I attached my "As I See It" piece written for the GT in December 2022. The numbers can be updated but the message is the same on the impact and poor city process. One update to note: Corvallis already has a licensing ordinance in force that NW Natural would have to comply with if the franchise is not extended. City staff did not even discuss that as an option in 2022, even though it was already in code and written to apply to "all utilities."

I’m asking for your help in contacting the City Council and organizing Corvallis residents to oppose a new franchise agreement with NW Natural. Reach out to your friends who are concerned with climate, housing, and safety concerns. We are also getting support from Breach Collective, a nonprofit that supports local groups in advocating for climate policy (copied). I wanted to put this on your radar screen again so that we can be ready when the Council takes it up at a future meeting.

Best to you all and your ongoing work!

Christy Anderson Brekken

[Kirk Rensmeyer]

Dr.  Brekken already sent this out to the Sustainability Coalition and Energy Action Team; but I thought  it was worth repeating. NW Natural is applying again for a 10 year lease.  This would extend to 2035 and violate the 2030  goals set by the state.  It will be under discussion by the city council this year. 

                                           Kirk Rensmeyer

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Energy Action Team | Corvallis Sustainability Coalition
 
VISION: Corvallis has achieved energy security and net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
 
sustainablecorvallis.org/what-we-do/action-teams/energy
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[Kirk Rensmeyer]

Dr. Brekken,

       Thank you again for your updates.  I would add an additional concern. The City of Corvallis is moving into final planning stages for the "Civic Campus" and I strongly suspect that these plans will include Natural Gas as an energy source. If you have heard otherwise; please let me know. 

                                                  Regards,

                                                    Kirk Rensmeyer

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[Christy Anderson Brekken]

Thanks Kirk, that's another good issue to address. It is separate from the franchise agreement decision, but it is one that we should keep on the radar screen when the civic campus plans are on the agenda.

Christy