EVERETT — The Whidbey Island-based climate justice group Kicking Gas is expanding its mission of helping households transition to electric appliances across Snohomish County, supporting the switch by covering up to 75% of installation costs.
With a Philanthropy Northwest Thriving Communities grant, the nonprofit has been focusing new efforts in Lynnwood, Marysville, Tulalip, Darrington and South Everett.
“The Kicking Gas campaign is more than a project — it’s a community movement,” said Kicking Gas campaign lead Derek Hoshiko in a press release. “We’re working together to protect our environment, improve air quality, and make homes across Snohomish County more resilient for generations to come.”
While the group’s core mission is to reduce fossil fuels and pollution from gas-burning stoves, electrical appliances have public health benefits as well.
Multiple studies have shown that natural gas used in gas stoves causes widespread health issues, including asthma and other long-term respiratory illnesses.
Additionally, electrical appliances can lower residents’ utility bills. Heat pumps are also more energy-efficient than space-heating systems and can reduce electricity used for heating in houses by up to 75%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Kicking Gas is a perfect resource for local homeowners who are interested and even excited to get off of fossil fuels but don’t know how to start or who may feel overwhelmed,” said Edmonds city councilmember Chris Eck in a press release. “I had the honor of referring a friend recently, who wanted to do the right thing for the planet and also save money on energy costs. After connecting through Kicking Gas he was overjoyed and, by the time he was done, he had all of the knowledge and resources he needed to kick gas.”
The nonprofit’s first online information session is planned for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Sign up to receive the Zoom link and learn more at https://www.kickgasnow.org/.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
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