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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2003-058 N.C.S. 03/24/2003Resolution No. 2003-058 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California Resolution ilrging State of California Air Resources Board to 1Vlaintain Existing Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma, California, supports measures that promote the development and commercialization of advanced technologies in California, including Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) that are essential to improve the region's air quality; and, WHEREAS, a program that promotes the development and commercialization of ZEVs has the benefit of helping to reduce California's dependence on foreign oil in addition to reducing by 95% automobile tailpipe emissions compared to the cleanest gasoline-powered vehicles available today, in a state where pollution from cars and trucks accounts for approximately 70% of urban smog; and, WHEREAS, 95% of all Californians live in areas that do not meet federal or state standards for healthy air; and, WHEREAS, given the recent discovery that smog-forming emissions, especially from mobile sources, have been.. dramatically underestimated in the state's air quality planning processes, programs such as the California ZEV Program have even greater importance in helping make available vehicles that have demonstrated decreased air quality impacts when compared with vehicles powered by other sources; and, WHEREAS, the Air Resources Board (ARB) staff has recently proposed changes to the current California. ZEV Program to be considered on March 27, 2003, and among them are amendments that would delay the start of ZEVs required, further reduce the number of ZEVs required, and in conjunction with the ZEV Credit Trading Program, would continue to allow automakers to take advantage of loopholes in the current rule, enabling manufacturers to delay the production of ZEVs onto avoid any manufacturing obligations until 2009 or beyond; and, Resolution No. ~nn3_ntst N.C.S. WHEREAS, adoption of the ARB staff proposal would result in no new ZEV product until the 2008 or 2009 model year, dealing a major blow to the efforts to advance ZEV technology and commercialization, which would be extremely difficult to reverse in future years. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma hereby recommends and advocates that the Air Resources Board: 1. Maintain the state's ZEV production requirement; and, 2. Prevent anear-term "ZEV blackout" where no ZEVs are actually required; and, 3. Provide stronger incentives for high-quality hybrid electric vehicles that will provide real "pure zero emission" miles and accelerate the introduction of ZEVs. 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 Ap roved as to Council of the ~ity of Petaluma at a (Re ular) (Adjourned) (Special) meeting ~- orm on the ........ 24 ............. day of ....... March..................................., 20.03., by the following vote: •••••••••••••• •••• ••••••••• Ci A torney AYES: Canevaro, Mayor Glass, Harris, Healy, Moynihan, Vice Mayor O'Brien, Torliatt NOES: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: ............................................................................................... City Clerk CLt Mayor Council File ................................... Res. Nu........20Q3-Q$$........N.CS.