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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2004-061 N.C.S. 05/03/2004 resolution No.2004-061 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA'S LAW TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION WHEREAS, the American Lung Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has been the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health, and is the foremost defender of the Clean Air Act; and, WHEREAS, the month of May is designated as "Clean Air Month" in our nation and many events and activities are scheduled by the American Lung Association to heighten public awareness of clean air concerns; and, WHEREAS, reducing emissions from motor vehicles and fuels is a key clean air strategy in California due to the overwhelming majority of air pollution generated from these sources; and vehicles not only emit ozone precursors, particulates and air toxics, but also emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons and methane that are linked to increased warming of the atmosphere; and, WHEREAS, increased warming of the atmosphere will lead to serious impacts on air quality and public .health, water supply, water quality, coastal resources, agriculture, and other environmental impacts; and, WHEREAS, higher temperatures due to global warming help create conditions that are ideal for ozone formation, and an EPA study on the impacts of increasing temperatures on peak ozone concentrations in Southern California urban areas found up to a 6 ppb ozone increase per each 1 °F increase in temperature; and, 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 Resolution No. 2004-061 N.C.S. WHEREAS, AB 1493 (Pavley) enacted in 2002 requires the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gases from passenger vehicles by January, .2005; and, WHEREAS, the AB 1493 regulations will contribute to both reduced global warming emissions and improved air quality; and an important byproduct of the regulations will likely be reduced pollution emissions from the manufacturing, transportation, delivery and sale of gasoline (called "upstream emissions") due to reduced petroleum use; and, WHEREAS, the regulations required by AB 1493 will help continue the drive toward advanced technology and alternative fueled vehicles that can achieve extremely low levels of both traditional air pollutants and greenhouse gases; and would give consumers additional choices of clean vehicles without. taking away existing vehicle options; and, WHEREAS, 95% of Californians already live in areas that exceed federal health-based ozone standards, and increased ozone levels leads to increased asthma attacks and other serious lung health impacts; 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 losses and demands upon the public health infrastructure; and, WHEREAS, addressing the impacts of global warming, whether through mitigation or response to natural disasters will severely tax state and local government agencies; and, WHEREAS, California has a long history of national leadership on air quality and environmental policy, and California's actions are critical to controlling and reducing global warming pollution nationally. Resolution No. ?004-061 N.C.S. Page 2 NOW, TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma urges the California Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest possible regulations to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by passenger vehicles pursuant to AB 1493 (Pavley), and recommends that the California Legislature endorse such regulations to protect the health of the state's economy and its people. Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the A_p roved as to Council of the City of Petaluma at a (Regular) (Adjourned) (Special) meeting on the ........~.a day of .......MaY........................................, 2004., by the following. vote: ...........,x City Attorney AYES: Mayor Glass, Harris, Healy, Vice Mayor Moynihan, O'Brien, Thompson, Torliatt NOES: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: ~ . . City C erk Mayor Council File Res. No.......~004-061 N.CS.