Sage Welch, sage@sunstonestrategies.org
Oakland, Calif.—In response to a lawsuit from the California Restaurant Association, likely acting at the behest of the oil and gas industry, against Berkeley’s ordinance phasing out gas for heath, climate and economic reasons, Sierra Club Senior Campaigner Matt Gough released the following statement:
“After nearly a year of stakeholder engagement, public debate and legal and technical analysis, the city of Berkeley moved forward with an ordinance in July to phase polluting gas out of new construction - with the full and enthusiastic support of their community. Yesterday’s challenge by the California Restaurant Association will certainly fail, as it is ultimately a challenge to democracy itself - a last-ditch attempt by friends of the gas industry to thwart the residents of Berkeley from exercising their right to cleaner, healthier buildings.
“This lawsuit comes as no surprise - the Western States Petroleum Association was vocal about their plan to challenge the residents of Berkeley on their commitment to cleaner air. The real story here is how the oil and gas industry is using their well-documented ties to trade associations like the California Restaurant Association in an attempt to stall action on climate change, as cities across the state move forward with plans to create healthier homes and buildings, free from fossil fuels.
“Ultimately, this lawsuit is an act of betrayal against the restaurants the association is supposed to serve. The ordinance is designed to protect all new building owners and tenants from the rising cost of gas in California. The people of Berkeley have spoken - and the real question this lawsuit raises is why the California Restaurant Association wants to stand in the way of their right to cleaner air, affordability, and health?”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.