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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 04-C63• RESOLUTION NO. 04-C63 • A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA'S PROGRAM TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION FROM PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of the world's climate scientists agree that global warming is a real problem, that the pace of warming is likely to accelerate over the next century, and that human activity is the primary cause of the build-up in global warming pollution; and WHEREAS, global warming threatens California's public health, environment, way of life and economy, especially key industries such as agriculture and tourism; and WHEREAS, global warming is likely to dramatically alter rainfall patterns in California, resulting in less water during dry months and too much water during the rainy season; and WHEREAS, rising temperatures cause an increase in smog, compromising California's efforts to improve air quality and threatening the health of our residents, especially children, seniors and those already suffering from respiratory ailments; and WHEREAS, global warming will significantly impact California consumers, businesses and the state's economy as a result of increased food, water and energy cost, 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 may severely burden state and local government agencies with new cost and obligations; and WHEREAS, new climate models demonstrate that immediate action to address global warming can reduce its impacts; and WHEREAS, the largest source of global warming pollution in California is passenger cars and light trucks, accounting for approximately 40 % of the state's emissions; and WHEREAS, there is an abundance of off-the-shelf technology and available clean fuels that can be readily applied to reduce global warming pollution from today's cars and trucks, and experts have estimated that a 30-40 % reduction in global warming pollution is possible and cost-effective using proven and readily available technology; and WHEREAS, California has a long history of national leadership on air quality and environmental policy, and California's actions are critical to controlling and reducing global warming pollution nationally; and WHEREAS, California has adopted a law (AB 1493) to reduce global warming pollution from passenger cars and light trucks that increases vehicle choices available to consumers, that considers economic impacts and that provides industry flexibility in complying -including credits for early actions; and WHEREAS, AB 1493 regulations will contribute to both reducecT"global warning emissions and improved air quality, an important by-product of the regulations will likely reduce pollution of upstream emissions from the manufacturing, transportation, delivery and sale of gasoline due to reduced petroleum use; and WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff has issued a draft "Staff Proposal Regarding the Maximum Feasible and Cost -Effective Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Motor Vehicles," dated June 14,2004; and WHEREAS, the ARB staff proposal dated June 14,2004 is projected to result in more than a 20% reduction in fleet average greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger vehicles sold in California by 2011 and over a 30 % reduction from these vehicles by 2014; and WHEREAS, these reductions will save California vehicle owners and operators money over the life of the vehicle through reductions in vehicle operating costs and will result in a 25% reduction in tons per day, relative to "business as usual" in statewide greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicle fleet, by 2030; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Azusa urges the California Air Resources Board to adopt the proposed regulations to reduce global warming pollution emitted by passenger vehicles pursuant to AB 1493 (Pavley) and endorses the near-term and mid-term fleet average emission standards contained in the draft staff proposal. The City of Azusa also recommends that Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Legislature strongly support such regulations to protect the health of the state's economy and its people. this 7`h day of September, 2004. 1 HEARBY CERTIFY that the forging Resolution No. 04-C63 Was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at the regular meeting, thereof, held on the 7`h day of September, 2004, by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, CHAGNON, MADRID NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE C CLERK