HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 2.H-Reso 05/03/2004RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA'S LAW
TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
WHEREAS, the American Lung Association is celebrating its 100 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.
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 conceals; 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 dioxi'de,.hydrofluorocarbons and methane that are linked to increased
warming of the atmosphere; and
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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 It 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
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 manufacture transportation, •
g, p rtation, 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 c6ntrollii g and reducing global
warming pollution nationally; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluina 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.