Recently the city of Eugene passed an ordinance to phase out gas appliances in new homes and buildings. This action follows similar ordinaces in cities around the country. But the fracked gas industry is not taking these moves lying down. Last November, NW Natural hired Dr. Julie Goodman – a mercenary toxicologist who has defended tobacco, plastic, chemical, and fossil fuel corporations against health concerns – to testify at a public hearing convened by Multnomah County on pollution from gas stoves. In her testimony, Dr. Goodman cast doubt on the health research, without disclosing her affiliation to NW Natural. Gradient, Goodman’s firm, also submitted a letter to the cities of Eugene and Milwaukie discouraging them from pursuing policies to transition homes away from gas appliances.
On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Oregon State Representative Mark Gamba, about his outrage over this latest deception by the gas industry and what can be done to counter this disinformation campaign.
- KBOO