Environment and Climate Committee Meeting - 2/12/26 - 11:00 AM

The City of Bend Oregon's Environment and Climate Committee met on February 12, 2026, to discuss ongoing and upcoming initiatives related to energy efficiency and electrification programming. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the allocation of a $30,000 to $40,000 budget for energy efficiency and electrification efforts, including options such as free home energy audits, energy efficiency toolkits, and induction stove loan programs. The committee explored the potential impact, cost, and community reach of these programs, with plans to issue an RFP for home energy audits and further refine program details in future meetings. Additionally, the committee reviewed updates on the electrification fee policy, including a revised fee calculation that accounts for the emissions of electric alternatives and the council's decision to pursue a fee set at 20% of the maximum proposed level. Discussions also covered the implications of Pacific Power's grid decarbonization plans, potential challenges in meeting emissions reduction targets, and the need for ongoing public and stakeholder engagement. The committee emphasized the importance of balancing fee impacts with incentive programs to maximize greenhouse gas reductions and planned further deliberations on exemptions, effective dates, and program structuring.