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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 xoraoo m e and seeomaaa x � for Ygeaage fm=ae _ exsnnvx TT IcLeoc fl'maJ r a '.. Coveromear'roSaFe Steps'to "Ce 8nger9 sof Global warmin