What is Measure GG?

Measure GG is a tax measure on the November 2024 ballot in the city of Berkeley. If passed by a simple majority of 50 percent plus 1, Measure GG would nearly triple the cost of natural gas almost immediately for buildings in Berkeley that are 15,000 square feet or larger. Contrary to the claims of the proponents, Measure GG doesn’t just tax Berkeley’s “largest polluters.” It unfortunately also impacts more than 650 small businesses, nonprofits, apartment buildings, grocery stores, hospitals, faith institutions, and schools. The tax would cost many of our nonprofits and small businesses tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars more a year–forcing them to cut programs and staff, close up shop, or just leave Berkeley. For many impacted nonprofits and small businesses, it could be years before the technology even exists for them to be able to transition from natural gas to building electrification, which Measure GG attempts to “incentivize” them to do. However, Measure GG does nothing to help them in the meantime. All it does is hurt.