HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 3B 05/03/2010~p'LU~,
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DATE: May 3, 2010
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FROM:
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Honorable Mayor and -Members of the City Council through City Manager
John C'. Brown, City Manager
SUBJECT:. Resolution Supporting the California Air Resources Board's Leadership in
Developing and Implementing Strategies forMeeting California's Greenhouse
Gas Reduction Targets, and in Promoting Emission Reductions from Motor
Vehicles.
REC®MMENDA'TION:
It is recommended that .the City Council adopt the attached resolution Supporting the California
Air Resources Board's. Leadership in Developing and Implementing Strategies for Meeting
California's Greenhouse-.Gas Reduction Targets, and in Promoting-Emission Reductions from
Motor Vehicles, and authorize the Mayor to sign. a letter of support to the California Air
Resources Board..
BACKGROUND:
The California: Legislature enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB~ 32: Nuiiez/Pavley,
20:06) to :address global warrning by reducing California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990
levels by 2020. The-Governor issued Executive Order S-3-OS further directing the state to
reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050. The Legislature also enacted Senate Bill 375 (SB 375:
Steinberg, 2008), to .encourage integrated land use and transportation planning that supports air
quality and public health goals and: emphasizes reductions in -vehicle miles traveled and
greenhouse gas emissions by ,promoting alternatives to driving, such as practical walking, biking
acid mass transt,options. As well, California's. Clean Cars (AB 1493: Pavley, 2002), Low
Emissiori'Veliicle (LEU) aril Zero Emission. Vehicle (ZEV) programs to reduce petroleum
consumption, support new jobs and investments in Cal,iforna's emerging green economy, and
spur innovation in low' and zero emission vehicles.
DISCgTSSION:
The American Lung. Association and. the Climate Protection Campaign are working. together to
promote reductions in greenhouse gases and increases in cleaner and more efficient vehicles in
California: Even with the adoption of recent legislation, California still lags in efforts to have
cleaner air. Further reducing emissions from passenger vehicles remains a key element in
California's fight against air pollution, global warming, and chronic illnesses.
Agenda Review:
Dept. Director City Attorney Finance Director City ManageK»~
Both organizations seek the City's upport (Attachment 1) by way of a resolution and a letter of
support,. to urge the State of California to adopt strong rules for reducing smog and to promote
zero emission vehicle technology.
FINANCIAL .IMPACTS:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request from American Lung Association and Climate Protection Campaign
2. Resolution '
3. Draft letter of support
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ATTACI~IVIENT 1
From:: Jenny Bard [mailto:JBard@alac.org]
Sentc° Wednesday, April i4, 20.10 3:48 PM
To: Brown, John
Subject: Resolution in support of AB 32 and Clean Cars
Dear Mr. Brown,
The American Lung Association in California and the Climate Protection Campaign wish to
thank the .City of Petaluma for its eadershp in reducing greenhouse gases and promoting cleaner
and more efficient vehicles in California. Your support for .California's Global Warming
Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32, Nunez, 2006) and the Clean Cars rule (Assembly Bill 1493,
Pavley, 2002) was: instrumental. in the adoption of these ground-breaking programs.
With your support, California's. clean air programs have become models for national and
international action. However, California "remains home to some of the dirtiest air in the nation,
which especially affects the :health of our children and the elderly and contributes to billions in
health care costs as the result of thousands of asthma attacks, hospitalizations and deaths each
year in our state. Without significant action, global warming will add to these public health and
economic burdens. Further reducing. emissions from passenger vehicles remains a key element in
California's fight against air-pollution, .global warming and chronic illness.
We are seeking your support in the form of a resolution to ensure that California continues to
make strong progress in these fights. The attached resolution urges the State of California to
adopt strong rules for reducing smog and other criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and
to promofe the rapid deployment of zero emission vehicle technology. The resolution also
supports California's ongoing progress in implementing climate. change programs like AB 32
and Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) as critical to protecting the health of the state's economy,
environment and its people.
Tn addition to the resolution, we would also encourage the city to send a personal letter to the
California Air Resources Board. A sample letter is also attached. Thank you for.your leadership
in reducing greenhouse gases and in supporting these critical clean air regulations. Our
communities will be healthier for it. Please let us. know if you have any questions. We look
forvvafd' to hearing from you. .
Jenny=Bard Ann Hancock
Regional Air Quality- Director Executive Director
American Lung Associa"tion in California Climate Protection Campaign
115 Talbot Avenue ~ ~-----
Santa Rosa, CA 9'5404 ~ '
707-527-5864, ext. 5 ~~
707-542-6111 fax ~,,~` =,-~~ --~'
wvv~v:californialun~.org , ~ ~~ ~ ~
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Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sonoma Mountain Village, Rohnert Park 3
A'I'TACI~IVIEN'I' 2
RESOLUTION OF TIIE CITX COUNCIL OF THE CI:T'~' ®F PETALUIVIA,
SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD'S LEADERSHIP IN
DEVELOPING AND I1VIP><,EMEN`I'ING STRATEGIES POR MEE'T'ING
CALIFORNIA'S GREENIIOUS'E GAS REDUCTION"TARGETS, AND IN PR®MO'I'ING
EMISSION REDUCTIONS FR®1VI 1VIOTOR VEHICLES
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted. the Global. Warming Solutions Act (AB
32: Nunez/Pavley, 2006) to address global warming. by reducing California's greenhouse gas
emissions. to 199.0 levels by 2020;' and the Governor.-issued Executive Order S-3-OS further
directing the state to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 205D and'
WHEREAS, the. pursuit. of these climate goals has spawned innovative and progressive
policies and programs to address climate change, air quality, energy independence, and
sustainable development; 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's Clean Cars (AB 149.3:.. Pavley, 2002), Low Emission Vehicle
(LEV) and. Zero Emission Vehicle: (ZEV) programs reduce. petroleum consumption, support new
jobs and investments in California's emerging green economy and spur innovation in low and
zero emission vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 375 (SB 375.: Steinberg,
2008) to encourage integrated land use and transportation planning that supports air quality and
public health goals and emphasizes reductions in vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas
emissions bypromoting alternatives to driving,. such as practical walking,. biking and mass transit...
options.;. and
WHEREAS, California's history of national leadership is critical to protecting public
..
health, creating a view green economy and spurring action on .global warming pollution
nationally.-
NOW,. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma supports the State
of California and the California Air Resources Board in its efforts to implement AB 32 policies
and programs that.reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also advancing public health, air
quality, the environment and the green economy in California; and
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BE IT FURTHER .RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma encourages the State of
California and the California Air Resources Board to establish ambitious regional greenhouse
gas reduction targets as envisioned by SB 375 and to work with local :governments to incentivze
integrated land use and transportation planning that supports air qualityand public health goals
and emphasizes reductions in vehicle miles traveled through alternatives to driving, such as
practical walking, biking and mass transit options; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED~that the City of Petaluma urges the State of California
and the California Air Resources Board to continue its national. and international leadership role
in promoting clean vehicle technologies by moving forward quickly to develop and adopt
expanded Low Emission Vehicle (LEV III) standards'to reduce criteria air pollutants and
greenhouse gases and to strengthen the state's zero emission vehicle program to protect the
health of California's economy, environment and its people.
ATTACHIVIEN'Y' 3
DRAFT
Mary Nichols,. Chairman
Californa.Ar Resources Board
1001. I Street
Sacramento,. CA 95812
RE: Strong Global Warming Regulations
Dear Chairman Nichols,
The City of Petaluma. applauds the. California Air Resources, .Board (GARB) .for its national
leadership in the development programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in
California. Our state's landmark global warming strategies provide a roadmap for transitioning
to a robust, clean economy while also presenting opportunities for significant public health and
environmental benefits:
Although our state has made `progress in combating air pollution over the past 30 years, the fact
remains. that the vast maj or-ity of California residents still breathe unhealthy air .and remain at risk
for respiratory illnesses and even premature death. Air pollution .is particularly harmful to our
most vulnerable populations; such as infants and children, the elderly, those living in low-income
communities or those suffering. with chronic illnesses like asthma: or heart disease,
Unfortunately, global warming is expected to compound these problems by further threatening
the quality of the air we'breathe and 'increasing our public ..health burdens.
I strongly encourage GARB. to .continue its. strong leadership by moving ahead to implement
Global Warming Solutions Act (Assembly Bill 32,, Nunez, 2006) programs to fight global
warming and air pollution. As transportation sources represent the largest contributors to
greenhouse gases, smog and other air pollutants in our state, GARB must remain focused on
reducing vehicle emissions.
Therefore, I also urge, GARB to develop and adopt the next generation of motor vehicle
standards: in 2010. by expanding California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV III) program to reduce
criteria pollutants and greenhouse .gases ,from new vehicles and to .strengthen .California's zero
emission vehicle (ZEV) program, l also support the .adoption of strong regional targets to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles as envision by Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg;
2008). Improving land use planning, and ushering in the cleanest vehicles will advance
California's fight against global warming and air pollution and protect our quality of life.
Sincerely,
Pamela Torliatt
Mayor of Petaluma
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