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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-28 08-076 RESOLVERem Rot 08 076
Jzfxua 9. 28, 2008
Date:
Rem/Subject: Resolve, Calling upon Fe ml and State Government to Take Steps M Reduce
Energy Consumption and Address the Challenge of Global Warming
Responsible Department: Gty Manager
This Is a companion Item to Me Order adopting a policy on Energy Conservation and Olmate
Protection which appears elsewhere on tonight's agenda. Where the proposed policy applies to the
City's goals and activities in this area, this Resolve calls upon federal and state governments to take
steps to reduce the emission of global waning emissions through a variety of efforts; calls on the
U.S. Congress to pass greenhouse gas reduction legislation; urges the U.S. government to take a
leading and positive role In Me international negotiations to replace the Kyo to Protocol; and urges all
units of government M adopt polices and programs aimed at reducing energy usage and ca twn
emissions similar to those adopted by Me City.
The overall goals of"the City's policy and this resolve are to address Me issue of global warming
and M reduce the use of energy in recognition of Me threat to our economy and national security
from our over reliance on foreign sources of energy.
Department Head
Manager's Comments:
This Resolve has been reviewed and is recommended by Me Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee.`� p /'
d mol (qwk
City Manager
Associated Infomation; Lry
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
it Solidthr
X Passage
_ First Reading Page _ of _
Referral
^ Jaumry 28. 2008
-.� x simea to cemeiwr n'srrsoe
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) Resolve, Calling upon Federal and State Government to Take Steps to Reduce
Energy Consumption and Address the Challenge of Global Warming
WHEREAS, as an advanced economy, the United States, with less than Ove percent of the
world's population, Is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the
world's global warming pollutants; and
WHEREAS, the Inter -Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international
community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has found that climate
disruption Is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing
concentrations of global warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, climate change of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community will
cause disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world including:
increased risk of floods or droughts; sea -level rises that Interact with coastal storms
to erode beaches, Inundate land, and damage structures; more frequent and
extreme heat waves; and more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, ratified by 141 countries, but not the United States,
went into effect requiring signatory nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on
average by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and
WHEREAS, under these protocols, the reduction target for the United States would have been
7%; and
WHEREAS, the reliance of our country on foreign sources of energy Is a threat to both our
economic well-being and our national security; and
WHEREAS, many leading U.S. corporations have adopted greenhouse gas reduction programs to
demonstrate corporate social responsibility and have publicly expressed a desire for
the US to adopt mandatory emissions targets and timetables as a means to remain
competitive in the international marketplace, to mitigate financial risk, and to
promote sound investment decisions; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States, including the City of
Bangor, have adopted emission and energy reduction targets and programs to do
their part to maigate environmental damage and reduce costs; and
v8
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor has adopted an Energy Conservation and Climate Protection
policy aimed at reducing global warming emissions and reducing costs through such
measures as Improved energy efficiency, green space preservation, improved
alternative transportation systems, public education, and adopting appropriate
urban design standards;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BANGOR THAT
1. We urge the federal government and state governments to erect policies and programs
to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 Percent below
1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil
fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-
efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation,
waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
2. We urge the U. S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that
includes dear timetables and emissions limits and a Oexdble, market-based system of
tradable allowances among emitting industries;
3. We urge the U.S. government to take a leading and positive role in the international
negotiations to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a new international agreement addressing
global climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; and
4. We urge all units of government in the United States to adopt policies and programs
aimed at reducing energy usage and carbon emissions, policies similar to those adopted
by the City of Bangor in its Energy Conservation and Climate Protection Policy, a copy of
which is attached hereto
IN, CITY WMCIL
Sauu 28. 2000
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