HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11133 establishing a “Clean Energy Choice Policy for New Buildings” to guide the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and use of Fossil Fuels for buildings and transportationR 11133
RESOLUTION NO. 11133 (2020 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A “CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE
POLICY FOR NEW BUILDINGS” TO GUIDE THE REDUCTION OF
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND USE OF FOSSIL FUELS FOR
BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere as the result of human
activity is the primary cause of the global climate crisis; and
WHEREAS, in California alone, the initial impacts of climate change have resulted in
unprecedented disasters with tremendous human, economic, and environmental costs; and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that global
emissions need to be reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050 to
prevent global catastrophe; and
WHEREAS, the State of California enacted Senate Bill (SB) 32 to require greenhouse gas
emissions to be reduced to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030; and
WHEREAS, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-55-18 establishing a statewide
target of carbon neutrality by 2045; and
WHEREAS, City of San Luis Obispo residents and businesses have repeatedly identified
climate action as a top community priority; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo City Council has directed staff to evaluate
strategies and options to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2035; and
WHEREAS, the inventoried greenhouse gas emissions in the City of San Luis Obispo
come from a variety of sources, primarily transportation and energy use in buildings and facilities;
and
WHEREAS, as of January 2020, the community will have access to carbon neutral
electricity procured by Monterey Bay Community Power; and
WHEREAS, the remaining source of greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in
buildings will come from the onsite combustion of fossil fuels, primarily natural gas; and
WHEREAS, the direct global warming impact of natural gas is considerably higher than
previously thought; and
WHEREAS, in order to achieve carbon neutrality, new sources of greenhouse gas
emissions need to be substantially reduced or eliminated.
Resolution No. 11133 (2020 Series) Page 2
R 11133
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
SECTION 1. The recitals set forth above are hereby adopted as the findings of the City
in adopting the policies herein.
SECTION 2. It is the policy of the City that new buildings should be all-electric.
SECTION 3: This resolution rescinds and replaces Resolution R-11044 (2019 Series).
Upon motion of Mayor Harmon, seconded by Vice Mayor Gomez, and on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Christianson, Stewart, Vice Mayor Gomez and Mayor
Harmon
NOES: None
RECUSED: Council Member Pease
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 16th day of June 2020.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, on _____________________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk