Eugene city councilors have opted to remain neutral regarding the Clean Energy Fund initiative that will appear on the November ballot.

The council adjourned a Monday night special meeting without taking a vote on whether they would urge votes in favor of or against the measure, effectively remaining neutral.

The initiative would require large corporations to pay money into a fund that supports climate projects. The revenue would fund climate infrastructure and green jobs programs intended to offset the businesses’ carbon footprint.

“I think councilors are free to have an opinion and to express that to the community as they see fit as individuals, but as a council collectively I think that we shouldn’t take a position one way or the other,” said Councilor Jennifer Yeh.

All other council members who spoke voiced similar views.

“I am excited it’s on the ballot, but, like Councilor Yeh articulated, I think this body best serves our constituents by letting the voters decide in November,” said Councilor Matt Keating, who said he is the second signature on the petition.

Councilor Mike Clark asked about what work city staff had done to analyze the costs to the city, and City Attorney Kathryn Brotherton said the city hasn’t done any work beyond the standard elections work that would be done for a ballot initiative.

“I know I, like Councilor Clark, have a lot of questions about cost and how we’re going to oversee this and manage it, but that’s really separate from what we’re here to do tonight,” said Councilor Randy Groves. “But, at the same time, I don’t think we should be taking a position on it, and I don’t think we should be doing anything that disrupts the process either.”

While the meeting closed without a vote being taken, the meeting’s agenda notes that “Council may choose to take action at or after this work session.”

Zac Ziegler is a reporter with the KLCC newsroom. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/25/eugene-city-council-stays-neutral-clean-energy-fund-initiative/