News on the Campaign to Electrify Mongtomery County

Did you hear the news? A bill that will give Montgomery County fully electric new buildings that are cleaner and healthier has been introduced in the County Council. With pioneering leadership from Councilmember Hans Riemer and co-support from County Executive Marc Elrich, this bill would keep fossil fuels out of new construction.

In Montgomery County, more than 50% of carbon emissions come from using fossil fuels (primarily methane gas) for water, space heating, and 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 buildings and homes. Worst of all, for 20 years after it is released, methane is 86 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide!

Clearly buildings that don’t burn fossil fuels are better for our health and the health of our planet. Regrettably, Maryland failed to enact a common-sense all-electric new construction code this past legislative session. Now counties need to step up to lead the way.

The Comprehensive Decarbonization Bill will stop the building out of fossil fuel infrastructure to new construction in our county – with few exceptions. We applaud County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Reimer for their initiative.

But two county leaders can’t pass a bill alone. We need a majority of the council to support Bill 13-22, Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, in order to establish an all-electric construction code in Montgomery County. 

That’s where you come in!

If you’re a Montgomery County resident, we need you to call on your Councilmember to also step up to the plate.

Sign this petition to urge YOUR Montgomery County Councilmember to vote for Bill 13-22, Comprehensive Building Decarbonization. Let’s make our new buildings cleaner and healthier through full electrification!

Truthfully, climate action happens when everyday folks make a stand. If you’re concerned about the climate crisis, signing this petition is one easy action to take. Sending the petition to family and friends is another.

Montgomery County has a tradition of being a leader in Maryland. Together we’ll keep this tradition alive by supporting an all-electric construction code.

This photo is from the Bill 13-22 announcement event.  See the press release, with the names of everyone pictured above.

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