Council declines to fast‑track alternate fossil‑fuel levy; citizen initiative taxing gas in large buildings cleared for ballot

Councilmember Tregga presented alternative ballot language negotiated with stakeholders and labor aimed at softening a citizen initiative that would tax fossil‑fuel consumption in large buildings. The draft included phased implementation, nonprofit and life‑science exemptions, anti‑displacement measures and labor‑focused grant language. Tregga said the revisions were designed to "mitigate immediate fiscal impact" and to protect nonprofits, life‑science employers and small businesses.

However, several council members said the compromise text had arrived too late for full analysis. Vice Mayor Weingraff and others expressed concern that staff had not had time to prepare a thorough 9212 report for the alternate language and that the city needed more stakeholder review. Building trades and business groups also urged more time; Tim Frank representing Alameda County building trades said the original citizen measure ‘‘was extreme, riddled with errors... a real threat to Berkeley's businesses and nonprofits.''

A motion to refer the alternate draft for further development and to consider it at a future special meeting failed on a roll call (the motion did not secure a majority in favor). Separately, the council unanimously voted to submit, without alteration, an initiative imposing a special tax on natural gas consumption in buildings of 15,000 square feet or larger to the November ballot. Environmental advocates urged letting voters decide and said the city needs a stable funding stream for electrification; business speakers warned of heavy costs for manufacturers, breweries and nonprofits and cautioned about displacement and operational impacts.

The council's action means the citizen initiative will appear on the November ballot and the alternate compromise language will return for further consideration only if proponents withdraw the citizen initiative or additional consensus is reached.