HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.E 09/10/2018�,• •!lum
DATE: September 10, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Manag
SUBJECT: Resolution Endorsing the "Diesel Free By '33" Statement of Purpose and
Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Pledge on Behalf of the City of Petaluma
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Endorsing the "Diesel
Free By '33" Statement of Purpose and Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Pledge on Behalf of
the City of Petaluma.
BACKGROUND
California Governor Jerry Brown is hosting a Governor's Climate Summit September 10-14,
2018 at the Bay Area Metro Center in San Francisco. The Bay Area Air Quality Management
District (BAAQMD) is assisting with the planning for the Summit and has proposed an event
called "Diesel Free by 33". In collaboration with the Governor's planning office, the BAAQMD
has prepared a Statement of Purpose for signature by cities, counties and companies, which has
been reviewed by the Governor's office. This Statement is intended to accelerate action toward
meaningful progress in support of all climate protection agreements.
DISCUSSION
The impacts of diesel exhaust on global climate and public health are far-reaching. The
Statement of Purpose resolves to showcase collective leadership to identify and adopt innovative
solutions to eliminate diesel emissions and black carbon from communities. Diesel engines emit
significant amounts of black carbon, which is a short-lived pollutant that contributes significantly
to global climate change. It is estimated that diesel engines comprise 54% of the state's total
black carbon emissions. Additionally, diesel engines emit CO2 during combustion, which is a
significant portion of the 14% of total global greenhouse gas emissions identified as being
caused by transportation. Emissions of greenhouse gases, which include CO2 and black carbon,
represent a threat to air quality and public health and can have major impacts on worldwide
natural weather and agricultural systems, water supplies, economies and may result in the
reduction of land mass according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth
Assessment Report.
By signing the Statement of Purpose, signatories are expressing their intent to collaborate and
coordinate on ordinances, policies and procurement practices that will reduce diesel emissions to
zero; share and promote effective financing mechanisms as well as information and assessments
regarding zero emissions technology; build capacity for action and technology adaptation using
policies and incentives that assist the private sector; and periodically report to all signers of
progress towards the zero -diesel emissions goal. The Statement of Purpose is not a legally
binding document. Petaluma will not be subject to any punitive measures should it be unable to
accomplish one or more of these goals or to eliminate the use of non-essential diesel technology
by 2033.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
If adopted, the City would be pledging to phase out the use of the City of Petaluma's diesel
engines by 2033 except for equipment deemed vital to public health/emergency services or for
which zero -emission technology does not exist or is not commercially available. Cost at this
time is unknown.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Statement of Purpose for "Diesel Free By `33"
2
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE DIESEL FREE BY '33 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE PLEDGE ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY OF PETALUMA
WHEREAS, the emission of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and black
carbon, represents a threat to the Bay Area's air quality, public health, water supplies, and
economy; and
WHEREAS, diesel engines emit significant amounts of black carbon, a short-lived
pollutant that is contributing significantly to global climate change; and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment
Report estimates that black carbon is the third most important individual contributor to global
warming after carbon dioxide and methane (IPCC 2013); and
WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimates that on -road diesel
and off-road mobile sources (mostly diesel engines) comprise 54% of the state of California's
total black carbon emissions which contributes to melting ice caps; and
WHEREAS, the CARB concludes that "Diesel exhaust includes over 40 substances that
are listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants and
by the CARB as toxic air contaminants. Fifteen of these substances are listed by the World
Health Organization as carcinogenic to humans, or as a probable or possible human carcinogen";
and
WHEREAS, the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment has determined that exposure to diesel exhaust can have significant
health effects, including damage to lung tissue and increased risk of cancer; and
WHEREAS, many alternatives to diesel -fueled vehicles and equipment are already
commercially available, with purchase costs comparable to traditional diesel technologies.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma endorses the
Diesel Free By '33 Statement of Purpose, reflecting a goal of eliminating diesel pollution by
December 31, 2033, and authorizes the Mayor to sign the pledge "Diesel Free By `33" on behalf
of the City of Petaluma.
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The intention of this Statement
of Purpose is to establish a goal
to reduce diesel emissions in
local communities throughout
California and beyond. The need
for this action is immediate. Diesel
exhaust takes a tremendous toll
on both the global climate and
public health.
By signing the Statement of Purpose, mayors, city and county
governments, industry and businesses leaders will join the Bay
Area Air Quality Management District and the state of California
to showcase our collective leadership to identify and adopt
Innovative solutions to eliminate diesel emissions and black
carbon from our communities.
Diesel exhaust causes significant public health effects and
accelerates climate change. The California Air Resources Board
estimates that on -road diesel and off-road mobile engines
comprise 54 percent of the State of California's total black
carbon emissions, a short-lived climate pollutant that is
contributing significantly to global climate change. Diesel air
pollution is highly toxic and can have an immediate impact on
the health of residents in communities where emissions are
most concentrated. The impacts will fall most heavily on
communities and populations already significantly impacted by
air pollution, environmental hazards, and economic inequality.
ATTACHMENT 2
The signatories may each develop their own individual
strategies to achieve the goal of reaching zero diesel
emissions in their communities. Signatories to this agreement
express their intent to:
* Collaborate and coordinate on ordinances, policies, and
procurement practices that will reduce diesel emissions to
zero within their jurisdictions, communities or companies;
* Share and promote effective financing mechanisms
domestically and internationally to the extent feasible that
allow for the purchase of zero emissions equipment;
Share information and assessments regarding zero
emissions technology;
* Build capacity for action and technology adaptation
through technology transfer and sharing expertise; and
Use policies and incentives that assist the private sector as
it moves to diesel -free fleets and buildings.
* Periodic reporting to all signers of progress towards the
zero -diesel emissions goal.
This Statement of Purpose is intended to accelerate action
toward meaningful progress in support of all climate protection
agreements. It is not the intent of the signatories to create
through this Statement of Purpose any legally binding
obligation. For purposes of this Statement, "diesel emissions"
and "diesel exhaust" means emissions or exhaust emitted
from the combustion of petroleum-based diesel fuel.
Signatories are committing to develop an implementation
strategy to reduce diesel emissions in their jurisdictions, share
solutions, and report progress. Together, we will forge a path
toward a cleaner, healthierfuture by reducing diesel emissions
in our communities, states, and beyond.
Signature
Title
City
Date
-- °` BAY AREA
AIRQUALITY
MANAGEMENT
I D I S T R I C T