Athena Aguiar, a candidate for Eugene City Council representing Ward 5, is using her campaign platform to champion Measure 20‑388, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund. The measure, which will appear on the November ballot, proposes a 2 percent fee on billion‑dollar corporations such as Walmart and Amazon. Revenue from the fee would be directed toward energy‑efficiency upgrades, community solar installations, and job‑training programs that pay living wages.
Why the measure matters to young residents
Aguiar argues that the rising cost of living and a stagnant job market are forcing recent graduates from Lane Community College and the University of Oregon to leave Eugene. She points to automation and artificial‑intelligence‑driven job displacement as long‑term threats to the city’s workforce. By investing in clean‑energy infrastructure, the fund would create new, well‑paid positions that keep the next generation rooted in their hometown.
Economic and environmental benefits
The proposed fund aligns with both economic and environmental goals. Energy‑efficiency projects can lower utility costs for households, while community solar arrays expand access to renewable power without requiring individual rooftop installations. Aguiar notes that the measure would also hold large, out‑of‑state corporations accountable for the environmental impact of their operations, ensuring they contribute fairly to the community that supports them.
Local support and opposition
Supporters of Measure 20‑388 include several local business leaders and environmental groups who see the fee as a responsible way to fund a greener future. Critics, primarily representatives of the corporate sector, argue that the additional fee could increase operating costs and potentially be passed on to consumers. Aguiar counters that the fee is modest and that the long‑term savings from reduced energy consumption and the creation of living‑wage jobs outweigh any short‑term price adjustments.
How the measure fits into the council’s agenda
If elected, Aguiar says she will work with the council to ensure the fund’s implementation is transparent and that all projects prioritize local hiring. She emphasizes that the measure is not a blanket tax increase but a targeted investment that leverages corporate profits to address housing affordability, job scarcity, and climate resilience.
What voters need to know
Measure 20‑388 will be on the November ballot alongside other city initiatives. Voters who support a stronger local economy, affordable housing, and a transition to clean energy are encouraged to vote “yes.” Those who oppose the fee on large corporations can vote “no.” Aguiar urges residents to read the full measure language, attend upcoming council meetings, and consider how the fund could shape Eugene’s future for the next generation.
For more information about Athena Aguiar’s platform and the Clean Energy Fund, visit her campaign website or attend a town‑hall meeting scheduled for next month.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
