Clean buildings are healthier and more affordable

Continuing to burn dirty fossil fuels to meet our heating, cooking, and other household needs is harmful to the planet, public health, and household energy costs.

The best way to reduce climate emissions and toxic air pollutants from Chicago's buildings is to drastically reduce the amount of fossil fuels they burn. We can do this by replacing gas appliances with cleaner more efficient appliances that are better for our environment and health.

Building electrification can also provide significant savings for families on their energy bills.

Chicago City Council members must pass the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance to phase-out fossil fuels in new buildings and make our buildings healthy and affordable.

Photo: Zander Betterton

Continuing to burn dirty fossil fuels to meet our heating, cooking, and other household needs is harmful to the planet, public health, and household energy costs.

Building electrification can also provide significant savings for families on their energy bills.

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Your Message

Subject Please Pass the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance

Dear Alderman:

Message Body

Please support the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) that has been introduced in City Council. The ordinance requires all new construction and significant renovations over 10,000 square feet to be constructed with all cleaner more efficient appliances that are better for our health and environment. By transitioning away from gas and fossil fuels in our buildings, Chicagoans can save money, have better health, and combat the climate crisis.

One in five Chicagoans are already behind on their gas bills – yet gas utilities like People’s Gas continue to raise rates. By transitioning to more efficient and cleaner technologies in large new constructions, we can ensure cheaper housing alternatives for residents who need it and reduce Chicago’s reliance on gas utilities that continue to make record profits.

Gas use in homes for heating, cooking, and drying also has significant public health consequences. For example, gas stoves pollute our indoor air with benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, and have been linked to higher prevalence of asthma in our kids. By expanding the construction of clean and efficient residences in Chicago, we can reduce this threat to public health.

CABO is also a crucial first step when it comes to cutting Chicago’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 70% of Chicago’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from its buildings. To effectively combat the climate crisis, Chicago needs to reduce its overall emissions and pass the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance.

Over 50 municipalities around the country including Los Angeles and New York City have implemented similar policies, and it’s time Chicago join the movement for cleaner, more affordable, and healthier buildings.

Thank you.

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