Grandmas for Green Energy
The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) is being heard by the committees on energy and zoning—tomorrow! Now is prime time to contact your alder and voice your support for electrification for future buildings, especially if your alder sits on the Committee on Environmental Protection. To find out if your alder is on it, find your alder and then click their name on the Chicago website to see the committees they sit on. Check out some sample emails for ideas.
Over 50 municipalities (including New York and Los Angeles) have passed their own versions of CABO: to set stricter indoor pollution standards for new construction that improve our health. Natural gas combustion isn’t capable of meeting the pollution standard CABO sets.
CABO reduces emissions. 68% of Chicago’s emissions come from our buildings compared to the national average of 29%. Electric buildings are estimated to produce at most half of the emissions of gas ones, which is crucial to meet Chicago’s emissions goals. CABO’s impact is small at first, but gradually it magnifies.
CABO saves money. Natural gas prices are out of control and getting worse. While Chicagoans struggle to pay bills, electric appliances are up to $1,000 a year cheaper than gas ones (which is probably why heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces for the past two years straight). Plus, the cost of retrofitting a building to electrify it after it’s already been built is way more expensive than building it electric to begin with!
CABO creates jobs. As of 2021, Chicagoans employed in the clean energy sector outnumber Chicagoans employed in the fossil fuel sector by more than double. CABO creates jobs for them in specialties like electricians and HVAC!
CABO advocates will hold a rally outside City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, and then attend the hearing itself. With some alders still on the fence, it’s important that we show up in numbers larger than the opposition. So bring family, neighbors, family, friends, or frenemies. You must RSVP if you also want to get into the hearing!
Bathrooms and places to sit are available. If you are a queen on wheels or use a walker, contact the Sergeant-at-Arms at alvin.starks@cityofchicago.org or 312-744-6000.
Be there or be square!
Email the Environmental Action Committee at environment@lwvchicago.org with questions.