HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-20 City Council (8)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS 3
DATE:JANUARY 20, 2004 CMR:125:04
SUBJECT:RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA’S LAW TO
REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the adoption of
greenhouse gas regulations by the California Air Resources Board in conformance with
existing state law.
BACKGROUND
Passenger cars and light duty trucks account for approximately 40 percent of the state’s
greenhouse gas emissions. The California LeNslature adopted AB 1493 in 2002 to
amend clean air provisions in the Health & Safety Code. The bill was co-authored by
Assemblyman Simitian and requires the California Air Resources Board to adopt
regulations by January 1, 2005, that achieve the maximum feasible reduction of
greenhouse gasses emitted by passenger vehicles and light duty trucks. The regulations
would apply to motor vehicles manufactured in the 2009 model year or after.
Also in 2002, the City of Palo Alto reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and
updated its Sustainability Policy. That policy states that "It is the intent of the City of
Palo Alto to be a sustainable community - one which meets its current needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
DISCUSSION
The California Legislature and state agencies have concluded that global warning will
significantly impact California (Refer to website at:
http://www.scc.ca.gov/coast&ocean/aummn2003/index.html) and that action is
required.
In light of the budget driven program reductions occurring at state agencies, it is
recommended that Palo Alto encourage the state to continue the important work
required by AB !493 to abate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming.
CMR:125:04 Page 1 of 2
POLICY IMPLICATION
The recommendation of this staff report is consistent with the Sustainability Policy and
other City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality
Act.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Greenhouse Gas Resolution
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
PHIL BOBEL, MANAGER
Environmental Compliance Division
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works/.-----
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 125:04 Page 2 of 2
ATTACHMENT A
NOT YET APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA’S LAW TO REDUCE
GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
WHEREAS,the overwhelming majority of the world’s
climate scientists now agree that global warming is a real
problem, that the pace of warming is likely to accelerate over
the next century, and that human activity is the likely cause of
the build-up in global warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, global warming threatens California’s health,
environmental, way of life and economy, especially key
industries such as agriculture and tourism; and
WHEREAS, global warming is likely to dramatically alter
rainfall patterns in California, resulting in less water during
dry months and too much water during the rainy season; and
WHEREAS, rising temperatures cause an increase in smog,
compromising California’s efforts to improve air quality and
threatening the health of our residents, especially children,
seniors and those already suffering from respiratory ailments;
and
WHEREAS, global warming will significantly impact
California consumers, businesses and the state’s economy as a
result of increased food, water and energy costs, insurance
liabilities, environmental !osses and demands upon the public
health infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, addressing the impacts of global warming,
whether through mitigation or response to natural disasters may
severely burden state and local government agencies with new
costs and obligations; and
WHEREAS, new climate models demonstrate that immediate
action to address global warming can reduce its impacts; and
WHEREAS, California has a long history of national
leadership on environmental policy, and California’s actions are
critical to controlling and reducing global warming pollution
nationally; and
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NOT YET APPROVED
WHEREAS, the largest source of global warming pollution
in California is passenger cars and light trucks, accounting for
approximately 40 percent of the state’s emissions; and
WHEREAS, California has adopted legislation AB 1493
requiring the California Air Resources Board to adopt
regulations to reduce global warming pollution from passenger
cars and light trucks that increases vehicles choices available
to consumers, that considers economic impacts and that provides
industry flexibility in complying - including credits for early
actions; and
WHEREAS, due to severe budget problems it is likely that
many programs, including air quality will be reduced or
eliminated; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to support efforts to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The California Air Resources Board should
continue to fund and work to adopt regulations pursuant to
Health and Safety Code §43018.5, that ensure the maximum
feasible and cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gases
emitted by passenger vehicles, and that the California’s
Governor, Legislature, and other public officials should solidly
support such regulations to protect the health of the state’s
economy and its people.
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NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 2. The Council finds that this is not a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act and,
therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
Director of Public Works
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