Astroturfing by natural gas lobby
FYI the Bend City Council has a working session this evening on the proposed fee for new houses with natural gas (this does not apply to existing homes, only new construction). You can read more about that here: https://bendoregon.gov/top-priorities/environment-and-climate/electrification-policy-options/
You may have received an unsolicited text message from a group called “NW Coalition for Energy Choice.” In case it wasn’t obvious, this is an astroturfing attempt by the fossil fuel lobby. According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website, this group was incorporated as a “social welfare” non-profit with the registered agent listed as Dan Kirschner. Kirschner is the recently retired CEO of Northwest Gas Association, a lobbying group for the natural gas industry.
“NW Coalition for Energy Choice” and its agents are not local and have nothing to do with Bend. Previously, this group was a strong opponent of state legation that would force natural gas companies to stop charging existing customers for the cost of hooking up new customers - a significant reason for increasing gas bills.