Bend explores new fee structure for climate impact and electrification costs

The City of Bend is gearing up to revamp its environmental fee structure, with discussions centered on how to best calculate these fees to reflect local needs and climate impacts. During the recent Environment and Climate Committee meeting, officials explored various factors that could influence fee calculations, including the social cost of carbon and specific emissions from appliances.

One key point raised was the need to differentiate fees based on the size of homes. Currently, Bend's fee structure does not account for whether a residence is a sprawling 5,000 square foot house or a compact 1,200 square foot apartment, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach. This has prompted calls for a more tailored system that considers the actual climate impact of different housing types.

The committee also examined models from other cities, such as Burlington and Breckenridge in Colorado, which base their fees on the market cost to electrify homes rather than solely on carbon costs. This approach aims to create a financial disincentive that reflects true market conditions.

As the city moves forward, officials plan to engage a consultant to help develop a framework for these calculations and gather feedback from a joint committee. A significant aspect of the discussion also involved defining what incentives the city wants to promote, potentially including non-financial incentives to enhance effectiveness.

The committee acknowledged that these discussions are just the beginning of a complex process. They aim to finalize their approach this fall, ensuring that Bend's environmental fees align with its sustainability goals and community needs.