Vote YES on GG to “Go Green!”
Funded by carbon tax on the largest polluters, not homeowners and renters!
Upgrades include: Solar, battery storage, heat pumps, ACs, induction cooktops, panel upgrades, wiring, EV charging, insulation, and more.
“this initiative could…help achieve Berkeley’s goal of becoming a Fossil Fuel Free City and mitigate climate change impacts”
– City of Berkeley Planning Department
“In November, the California city will have a chance to institute a first-in-the-nation tax on using planet-warming natural gas in large buildings.”
– Canary Media
A Healthy, Climate-Friendly Future for All!
Who pays?
Refreshingly, this special tax on methane pollution from natural gas use applies only to owners of very large climate polluting buildings 15,000 square feet or larger, not homeowners and renters.
It would only affect the wealthy owners of just 609 of Berkeley’s 35,432 total buildings!
Owners are prohibited from passing tax on to residential tenants.
Berkeley Residents Benefit
Homeowners ✔️ Renters ✔️ Restaurants ✔️ Non-profits ✔️ Businesses ✔️
This measure would generate an estimated $26.7 million per year Just Transition Fund to help all residents fight climate change, improve health, and create well-paying green jobs. Proceeds can only be used to support climate action supervised by an oversight committee.
Measure GG:
1. Provides average of $15,000 in green upgrades for all residents;
2. Incentivizes the largest buildings to reduce harmful methane emissions and improve air quality. Methane increases asthma risk and smog.
Reduce Berkeley’s Climate Emissions
Methane use in buildings accounts for nearly ⅓ of Berkeley’s climate emissions, but there’s currently no plan to reduce them. This measure would curb emissions and account for societal costs of burning and leaking methane. It would also fund almost the entire estimated cost to eliminate emissions from all low-rise residential buildings.
Starting in 2027 and 2029, new Bay Area-wide regulations will make it illegal to install gas water heaters and furnaces, even to replace broken equipment. GG ensures that Berkeleyans will have financial help to upgrade their homes to support climate-friendly electric heating systems. It also provides a model policy for our neighboring cities to follow, widening its impact even further.
Community Over Profit
Don’t let big business and political elites hurt our kids’ futures by continuing to delay meaningful solutions to climate change!
Don’t be fooled: GG’s opponents are funded by big corporations and real estate interests. They claim they’re eager to reduce emissions, but City data show their emissions are increasing!
The deep-pocketed funders of the misleadingly-named “Berkeleyans for Effective Climate Action” are actually:
- National Association of Realtors
- Read Investments
- California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC
- Rue Ell Enterprises, Inc.
- SG Real Estate
- Wareham Property Group, Inc
- California Hotel Issues PAC
- Hudson McDonald Properties, Inc.
They have raised more than $370,000 to manipulate Berkeley’s politics through spreading lies and engaging in climate denial.
Measure GG is supported by homeowners, tenants, doctors, City workers, climate voters, tenant advocates, faith leaders, parents, and community members.
We can fight the climate crisis and improve quality of life by taxing the largest polluters. Vote YES on GG.
