Santa Rosa, CA Establishing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 8/2/05

Source File: http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default.aspx?PageId=257&NewsId=26341

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 26341
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA TO ESTABLISH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS FOR THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA

WHEREAS, actions taken by local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by improving air quality and public health, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the local government, its businesses, and its residents; and

WHEREAS, local governments greatly influence the community's energy usage through their actions concerning land use, transportation, construction, waste management, energy supply, and energy management; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland recently proved the effectiveness of a concerted community climate protection program by reducing greenhouse gas emissions citywide below 1990 levels while simultaneously increasing the community’s vibrancy and economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, increased temperatures due to higher greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere threaten to: 1) adversely impact water quality and supply, 2) exacerbate air quality problems, 3) adversely impact human health by increasing heat stress and related deaths, 4) increase the incidence of infectious disease, the risk of asthma, respiratory and other health problems; and

WHEREAS, California has taken a leadership role in climate protection by implementing the motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission reduction regulations, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which implements the most effective building and appliance efficiency standards in the world. On June 1, 2005, California established greenhouse gas reduction targets for the State: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Sonoma County has taken a leadership role in climate protection by being the first county in the nation where 100 percent of its cities and the County pledged by resolution to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community, and by being the first county in the nation where 100 percent of its cities and the County determined their baseline greenhouse gas emissions for municipal operations; and

WHEREAS the City of Santa Rosa on December 4, 2001, resolved to be part of Cities for Climate Protection and follow its five milestone program; and

WHEREAS on May 21, 2005, thirty-two representatives from Sonoma County’s nine cities and the County considered targets for the community and consequently recommended that the cities and the County adopt a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25 % below 1990 levels by 2015.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council, by resolution adopts a municipal green house gas emission reduction target of 20% from 2000 levels by 2010 and helps facilitate the community-wide green house gas emission reduction target of 25% from 1990 levels by 2015.