HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9130Resolution No. 9130
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto
Supporting the California Air Resources Board's Leadership
in Promoting Clean and Energy Efficient Motor Vehicles,
Energy Independence, Zero Emission Technologies and
Improved Quality of Life in California
WHEREAS, California is experiencing a public health crisis due to poor air
quality, with over 90% of Californians living in areas that exceed federal health-based
ozone standards; and
WHEREAS, exposure to elevated levels of ozone and other pollutants such as
particulate matter annually contributes to hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and tens
of thousands of hospitalizations and premature deaths due to heart and lung disease; and
WHEREAS, recent research conducted by the RAND Corporation found that
hospital care related to elevated pollution levels in California cost nearly $200 million from
2005 to 2007; and
WHEREAS, the impacts of global climate change are projected to compound
this air quality and public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, motor vehicles are significant emitters of ozone precursors,
particulates and air toxies, and the single largest anthropogenic source of global warming
causing greenhouse gas emissions in California; and
WHEREAS, California's dependence on petroleum for 97 percent of its
transportation needs and its reliance on imported oil leaves California susceptible to volatile
pricing and supply disruptions; and
WHEREAS, California has been a national leader in advancing cleaner vehicle
technologies by developing and implementing motor vehicle regulations under its federal
Clean Air Act authority; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted AB 1493 (Pavley, 2002)
directing the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum
feasible and cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gases from passenger vehicles; and the
California Air Resources Board adopted clean vehicle regulations in 2004; and
WHEREAS, thirteen other states and Washington D.C. have adopted
California's regulations; atid
WHEREAS, in coordination with the Obama Administration and America's
automobile manufacturers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the
United States Department of Transportation have based new national standards on
California's clean car regulations; and
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