Taos, NM Adopting the EPA's Energy Star Challenge

Type: Resolution

Status: Introduced in 2007 (unsure of disposition)

Source File: http://www.taosgov.com/legalordinances/resolutions/2007/07-103.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION No. 07-103
ADOPTING EPA'S ENERGY STAR CHALLENGE TO REDUCE ENERGY USE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDINGS

WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions for cities and the federal government to take action to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has determined that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions, the major cause of global warming; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. commercial building sector is a major consumer of energy and is responsible for 18 % of national emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted policy to address energy efficiency and carbon neutrality in new buildings; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Taos has received a grant to adopt high performance green building principles for its municipal and other buildings; and

WHEREAS, existing buildings within a municipality represent one of the most significant and immediate opportunities for cities to substantially reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Taos can lead by example by demonstrating how green, energy-efficient municipal buildings have reduced their own energy consumption as well as encouraging others in their community to do the same; and

WHEREAS, most commercial building operators can reduce their buildings' energy use through low and no cost efforts or though cost effective improvements; and

WHEREAS, saving energy in a community not only results in environmental benefits, but also results in economic savings for the city, businesses, and others which will have a positive economic impact on the community; and

WHEREAS, the US EPA's ENERGY STAR Program has issued a Challenge to America's buildings to reduce energy use by 10% or more, and the EPA estimates that if all buildings meet this goal, by 2015, Americans would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 15 million vehicles, while saving about $10 billion on energy bills; and

WHEREAS, the US EPA's ENERGY STAR Program believes that local governments are key in helping meet this Challenge - by achieving energy efficiency goals within their own facilities, providing a model for other building owners to emulate, and by leveraging their relationships with building owners within their jurisdiction through outreach, promotions, and incentives or recognition that can improve the energy efficiency of America's buildings; and

WHEREAS, the US EPA's ENERGY STAR Program offers a wide variety of free tools and resources that can be used by mayors and building operators to improve the energy efficiency of buildings;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The Town of Taos strongly endorses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Challenge as a key strategy in meeting the goals of the Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Town of Taos encourages others to support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Challenge; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Town will encourage its citizens to join the ENERGY STAR Challenge by setting the example, will join itself and receive access to a variety of free U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's tools and resources as participants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Town of Taos, working in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Program, will make available tools and resources to its citizens to assist them in their efforts to develop plans to meet the goals of the ENERGY STAR Challenge in all city owned and operated buildings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Town of Taos, working in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Program will make available tools and resources to its citizens to assist them in their efforts to engage building owners and operators within its members' jurisdictions to encourage them to join the ENERGY STAR Challenge and meet the goals of the Challenge in all buildings in the city; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Town of Taos will work in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate organizations to develop plans to fully implement actions as mentioned above.