The Bend Chamber of Commerce said on Apr. 22 that the city’s ongoing efforts to address climate change, such as electrification policies, are now closely linked to concerns about housing affordability and availability.
The issue is significant for Bend as more than half of its workforce commutes into the city due to high housing costs. The Chamber said this situation not only increases transportation emissions but also highlights a deeper challenge: many people who work in Bend cannot afford to live there.
Electrification, once mainly an environmental discussion, has become central to debates about building costs and access to housing. The City of Bend is considering new policies aimed at reducing natural gas use in residential construction, including a proposed fee on gas appliances that could add approximately $2,000 or more per home. The Chamber noted that this increase comes alongside other policy changes—such as wildfire hardening requirements and updates to the Tree Code—that together may further raise building costs.
“Every policy must be evaluated not only on its intended outcomes, but also on how it affects housing affordability and the broader economic health of our community,” the statement said. The Chamber emphasized that these issues should not be addressed in isolation because their cumulative effect could make homes less affordable for local workers.
Looking ahead, the Chamber supports a data-driven approach with pilot programs before full implementation of electrification measures. It advocates for flexibility in policy design—including options like dual-fuel systems and renewable natural gas—to ensure energy reliability while addressing local needs. “With a collaborative, data-driven, and thoughtfully sequenced approach, Bend can lead with policy that supports climate progress, strengthens reliability, and most importantly keeps housing within reach for the people who live and work here,” according to the statement.
