Tell YOUR MoCo Councilmember to Vote for Clean, Safe All-Electric Buildings

Montgomery County Councilmembers

Montgomery County (MD) Leaders for Clean Safe Buildings

Montgomery County (MD) has a golden opportunity to lead the state in creating cleaner, healthier all-electric buildings. County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Hans Riemer teamed up on Bill 13-22, Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, which would require all-electric building standards for all new construction, major renovations, and additions, with only a few exceptions. (The photo above is from the Bill 13-22 announcement event. See the press release, with names of everyone pictured here.)

To demonstrate strong support, we will send the petition below with the names of everyone who supports this measure to your Councilmember.

SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!

Petition by
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Middleton, Maryland
Sponsored by
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Takoma Park, MD

To: Montgomery County Councilmembers
From: [Your Name]

Dear Councilmember,

I am a Montgomery County resident and support the full electrification of new buildings in the County.

In Montgomery County, more than 50% of carbon emissions come from using fossil fuels (primarily methane gas) for water heating, space conditioning, and for cooking in our buildings. In addition to the direct greenhouse gas emissions produced from burning gas in furnaces and stoves, the gas also leaks as it makes its way from fracking wells in West Virginia and Pennsylvania into our homes.

Methane is an incredibly potent greenhouse gas — it’s 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time horizon. And burning methane produces the same harmful chemicals as an idling car, leading to asthma and other serious health problems. The American Medical Association recently resolved that "use of a gas stove increases household air pollution and the risk of childhood asthma and asthma severity" and voted to support the "transition from gas stoves to electric stoves in an equitable manner."

Regrettably, the state failed to enact a common-sense all-electric new construction code this past legislative session. In the absence of state leadership, I am proud that Montgomery County is once again leading on climate. I applaud County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Reimer’s initiative. As your constituent I strongly urge you to co-sponsor and vote for Bill 13-22, Comprehensive Building Carbonization.

Sincerely,