HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/1994, C-2 - RESOLUTION TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES WITHIN THE CITY ORGANIZATION. Il�ipl�glll�llllllllll IIIr MEETING DATE:
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Ijl�� �t san LaIs oBispo � 31 1994 Wage
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: John Moss PREPARED BY: Cyndi Butterfield I/
Utilities ecor Solid Waste Coordinator
SUBJECT: Resolution to reduce emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances within
the City organization.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
By motion, approve resolution establishing City policy to reduce
emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) within the City
organization.
DISCUSSION
Background
At the July 6, 1993 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to 1) develop City policy to
reduce emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances within the City Organization; 2) generate
an in-house information and education program; and 3) work with the Air Pollution Control
District (APCD) to develop regional programs aimed at control and reduction of ODSs.
The May 4, 1994 update on the Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Advisory Committee is
attached for review of committee activities.
Contents and Implications of the Proposed Policy
The attached resolution establishes the City's policy to reduce ODS emissions in-house by
instituting new models for purchasing practices, repair procedures and disposal methods.
This policy will provide the basis and framework for implementing the in-house information
and education program as directed by Council.
The purchasing policy will be implemented via the "Special Terms and Conditions" section
of the Finance Management Manual in which vendors will become responsible for
identifying products related to ozone depletors and for providing alternative products when
available. This process will furnish a vehicle for 1) highlighting ODS products used by the
City, 2) identifying and stimulating the development of alternatives, and 3) educating City
employees and the private sector about the critical need for change.
Information about U.S. EPA Clean Air Act regulations and City policy and the need for
emission prevention during repair and disposal of all materials containing ozone depletors
will be provided to City staff. In-house education and information will be limited to
distribution of existing information. Staff time for generation and distribution of in-house
fliers will be minimized to not exceed 8 hours per month. For more information on ozone
depleting substances please refer to the attached Council Agenda Report on emission
reduction for the meeting of July 6, 1993.
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EMNO1 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
eso ution to Reduce Emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances
Page 2
CONCURRENCES
City staff has met with County General Services staff and Camp Roberts Environmental
Planning staff to form the approach of placing responsibility for identifying 1) products
related to ozone depletion and 2) alternatives to those products on vendors wishing to do
business with government agencies. Since the use of ODSs is pervasive and there is no list
of alternatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to draw upon, the first step
is to use governmental purchasing power to identify products that are ODS related and to
promote the development and use of safe alternatives.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact to approval of this resolution. Any potential costs associated
with purchasing, repair and disposal measures described in this resolution are costs which
must be assumed in order to adhere to current EPA regulations.
ALTERNATIVES
Current City policy includes a 10% price preference, not to exceed $1,000 per contract, for
purchase of products with recycled content. A price preference for purchase of non ozone
depleting products would enhance governmental purchasing power to encourage private
sector development of safe alternatives. The fiscal impact of this alternative cannot be
determined at this time. If Council wishes to include a 10% price preference, staff
recommends that the following language be added to the attached resolution:
"A ten percent (10%) price preference, not to exceed $1,000.00 per contract, may be given
for the purchase of products or materials which do not contain ozone depleting substances
and do not involve the use of ozone depleting substances in manufacturing or shipping
processes and which are demonstrated to be equal in quality and safety to their ozone
depleting counterparts."
If Council wishes to include the above language in the resolution, staff recommends that
Council, by motion:
"Approve resolution establishing City policy to reduce emissions of Ozone Depleting
Substances within the City organization and provide a 10% price preference, not to exceed
$1,000.00 per contract, for the purchase of products that do not contain or use ozone
depleting substances in manufacturing or shipping processes."
attachments: Resolution
May 4, 1994 Update on the Ozone Depletion Advisory Committee
July 6, 1993 Council Agenda Report
RESOLUTION NO. (1994 Series)
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
WITHIN THE CITY ORGANIZATION
WHEREAS, Stratospheric ozone protects life from the effects of the suns ultraviolet
radiation.
WHEREAS, Scientific evidence indicates that halocarbons, including
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), haloes and chlorocarbons, when discharged into the
environment, deplete the earth's stratospheric ozone layer allowing increased amounts of
ultraviolet radiation to penetrate the atmosphere and reach the earth's surface.
WHEREAS, To the extent that stratospheric ozone is depleted, penetration of
ultraviolet radiation increases, resulting in the potential for significant health and
environmental harm in the form of increased skin cancers, suppression of the human
immune system, damage to plants including crops, damage to aquatic organisms and threat
to the aquatic food chain, and increased formation of ground level ozone.
WHEREAS, Documented scientific evidence concludes that the release of Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODSs) into the atmosphere poses a threat to planetary life support
systems.
WHEREAS, The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to reducing emissions of
Ozone Depleting Substances within the City organization and to working with other
jurisdictions to reduce emissions within the region.
WHEREAS, Federal law under the Clean Air Act regulates the sale and handling
of major Ozone Depleting Substances and will prohibit the production of the most potent
Ozone Depleting Substances in the U.S. after 1995.
WHEREAS, In light of current and future national and international limitations on
the production and handling of Ozone Depleting Substances, it is in the best economic
interest of the City of San Luis Obispo to support the development and use of safe
alternatives to halocarbons and to engage in the safe repair and disposal of products
containing ODSs.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of San Luis Obispo
is committed to reducing emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances within the City
organization. To that end, emission reduction will take the form of new models for
purchasing practices, repair procedures and disposal methods.
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Resolution No. (1994 Series)
It shall be the policy of the City of San Luis Obispo to request all vendors wishing to
sell products to the City to identify all products offered that contain ODSs and products that
use ODSs in the manufacturing or shipping process. Vendors and suppliers shall also be
requested to identify alternative products that do not involve the use of ODSs. The intent
of this policy is to reduce the acquisition of products that contain ODSs and that use ODSs
in manufacturing or shipping processes and to engage the private sector in the process of
identifying such products and in locating and distributing safe alternatives whenever possible.
It shall be the policy of the City of San Luis Obispo to prevent emission of ODSs during
the repair of any City owned property including auto air conditioners, refrigerators, building
air conditioning systems or any other appliance or article owned by the City.
It shall be the policy of the City of San Luis Obispo to properly dispose of all solvents
and cleaners known to contain ODSs in the City's possession and to eliminate the use of
ozone depleting solvents and cleaners by identifying and using safe alternative products or
procedures. In addition, any article, appliance or material of any kind that contains ODSs
shall be disposed of in a way that prevents the emission of ODSs.
It shall be the policy of the City of San Luis Obispo to provide an in-house training
program in which employees learn about federal Environmental Protection Agency Clean
Air Act regulations, about the need for reducing emissions of ozone depletors and about
how to reduce emissions of ODSs through purchasing practices, repair procedures and
disposal methods.
Upon motion of and seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this _day of 1994
Mayor Peg Pinard
s
Resolution No. (1994 Series)
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED:
City A ministrative Officer
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MEMORANDUM
May 4, 1994
TO: City Council Members
VIA: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer
John Moss, Utilities Directnil
FROM: Cyndi Butterfield, Solid Waste Coordinator
SUBJECT: Update on the Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Advisory Committee Activities
City staff participates on the Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Advisory Committee which
meets quarterly and is facilitated by APCD staff. Included on this committee are
representatives from affected businesses, environmental and citizen groups, and public
agencies.
The private sector is well represented on this committee and includes individuals from major
industrial interests who work on state and international task forces. Primary efforts at these
levels involve reporting on research needed for development of safe alternatives and
tracking the uses of, and economic needs for ODSs in less developed nations where
international agreements allow extended time periods for phasing out the use of ODSs.
Research into alternatives for agricultural use of methyl bromide is particularly relevant to
local responsibility since this substance is used as a soil fumigant by local growers. The
scope of international cooperation, the presence of these industry representatives on our
local committee and the local discussion of international conditions are all indicative of the
truly global nature of this environmental threat. There is no doubt within the international
scientific community that political and economic necessities and decisions made on the
african continent will evolve to have direct impact on the health and well being of people
living in San Luis Obispo.
At the April 1994 meeting members discussed the lack of enforcement of Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) regulations within the Clean Air AcL APCD staff reported on
local investigation into noncompliance with regulations and the lack of enforcement
provided by the EPA. It was reported that some air pollution districts have adopted the
EPA rules but, like the EPA, have not allocated funds to enforce them. The advisory
committee will develop a report to the APCD board with a description of current conditions,
alternative actions and recommendations.
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This group has been a very successful forum for the exchange of information and
perspectives among private, public and environmental and citizen groups. The discussions
are well facilitated and efficiently documented by APCD staff and will be useful as future
programs are developed. Strategies for emission reduction have begun with in-house
policies developed by the County and the City. These will be shared with other jurisdictions
via the APCD. The committee agrees that the most important task is to inform the public
about the vital need to reduce emissions of ODSs and about upcoming reductions in the
availability of widely used products such as freon. A lack of funding and staff time at
national, regional and local levels has all but eliminated critically important enforcement
and information and public education efforts.
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city c MEETING SATE:
a���� Cl Q Sar' ,tis QB�spQ July 6 1993
COUNC-oiL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: John Moss, Acting Utilities DirectoOrdr
PREPARED BY: Cyndi Butterfield, Solid Waste Coordinator Cl�
SUBJECT: Emission Reduction of Ozone Depleting Substances
CAO RECOMMENDATION.
By motion, receive report and provide staff with direction to 1) develop City policy
to reduce emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) within the City
organization; 2) generate an in-house information and education program; and 3)
work with the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to develop regional programs
aimed at control and reduction of ODSs.
DISCUSSION
Staff was directed by Council to evaluate the cost and feasibility of implementing actions
within the City organization to reduce emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and
to develop a report concerning the possible regulation of DDSs community-wide.
Background information on ODSs is followed by a discussion of national legislation, a look
at potential internal and community activities, and recommendations for action.
The Ozone Lamer
Ozone is a naturally occurring gas found in the stratosphere, the atmospheric layer between
6 and 30 miles above the earth's surface. This layer of ozone shields life on earth from the
dangerous effects of exposure to the sun's powerful ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone depletion is no longer considered a theory. According to the National Resource
Defense Council, ozone levels have dropped 3.5 to 5.5% over the U.S. since 1979. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that to the extent depletion occurs,
penetration of ultraviolet radiation increases,resulting in potential health and environmental
harm including:
• Increased incidence of certain skin cancers and cataracts.
• Suppression of the human immune system.
• Damage to plants including crops.
• Damage to aquatic organisms and threat to the aquatic food chain.
• Increased formation of ground level ozone.
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Ria; COUN AGENDA REA T
Ozone Depleting Substances
Page 2
Ozone Depleting Substances
Ozone depleting substances are known collectively as halocarbons and include
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), haloes, and chlorocarbons. These are human-made chemicals
containing carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and bromine.
In the stratosphere, halocarbon molecules break up into their component atoms in the
presence of ultraviolet light. This releases chlorine and bromine which act as catalysts in
the breakdown of ozone. Single atoms of chlorine and bromine repeatedly break apart
ozone molecules for up to a hundred years before they become chemically inactive.
Even if worldwide production of all ODSs were stopped today, depletion of the ozone layer
would accelerate for the next decade and continue for several decades. CFC levels in the
stratosphere are increasing by 5010 annually and bromine levels are increasing by 1207o
annually. Unknown quantities of ozone depletors in existence have yet to be released.
These compounds, whether stored in foam furniture padding or a refrigerator, will
eventually reach the stratosphere.
The Many Uses of Halocarbons
In the 1930s halocarbons entered the industrial scene as technological sensations. CFCs
were developed as non-toxic, non-flammable, and highly stable coolants for refrigerators.
They were used as propellants during WWII, and as blowing agents for foam products
beginning in the 1950s. CFCs are also used in gas sterilization of medical equipment and
for solvent cleaning of manufactured parts.
Halon were developed in the 1970s and are used primarily as fire extinguishers.
Chlorocarbons are used as solvents. Common chlorocarbon are carbon tetrachloride and
methyl chloroform. You may find these substances in bottles of spot and stain remover in
your home. Methyl bromide, with over 30 times the destructive power of CFCs, is widely
used for structural pest control and for many agricultural processes. Bromide is used in San
Luis Obispo county as a soil fumigant on strawberry fields. However, the use of bromide
in SLA has sharply declined since 1990 and a State task force is exploring alternative
products.
The EPA has published a list of commodities and products which either contain or are
manufactured with ozone depletory. This list illustrates the level at which ozone depletors
permeate almost everything we use in daily life. The .list includes adhesives, cosmetics,
plastics, fabrics, ink, construction materials, audio and video equipment and even paper
bags. A copy of this extensive list is available for review in the Council office.
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COUtl4 .. AGENOA REPORT
Ozone Depleting Substances
Page 3
Federal Law - The Clean Air Act
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency law. within the Clean Air Act establishes the
following:
• Prohibits the venting of refrigerants during servicing, repair or disposal of air
conditioning or refrigeration equipment.
• Prohibits the sale of small containers of refrigerants except to certified repair
technicians.
• All shops servicing motor vehicle air conditioners must certify to the EPA that they
have purchased approved equipment and that their technicians are properly trained
and certified.
Prohibits the U.S. production of CFCs after 1995.
The most obvious impact of the prohibition of production will be on the cost and availability
of refrigerants for servicing and repairing air conditioning and refrigerator units. When
CFCs are no longer produced in the U.S., recharging of units will depend on a diminishing,
and increasingly costly supply of recycled or imported CFCs. Existing replacements for
CFCs cannot be used in current refrigeration units.
The EPA is responsible for implementing national prohibitions on the venting and sale of
ozone depletors. However, the current method of enforcing the law is through offering a
reward for prosecution of noncompliance. Also, a public information, education and
technical assistance program is not offered by the EPA nor has the EPA been directed to
provide one.
REDUCING EMISSIONS WITHIN THE CITY ORGANIZATION
A survey of potential emissions from the City organization revealed City activities that result
in ODS emissions. Although building air conditioners are serviced by a vendor who
captures refrigerants for recycling, areas of concern include the use of solvents, the repair
of auto air conditioners, the disposal of refrigerators and the use and disposal of rigid and
flexible foam.
Reducing ODS emissions within the City Organization is feasible. An in-house policy would
provide the mandate to develop a program and would function as a role model for the
community. Information on ozone depleting solvents and substitutions has already been
distributed on a limited basis.
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COUNA AGENDA REART
Ozone Depleting Substances
Page 4
A relatively simple wayto reduce emissions within the City organization would be to
develop information and educational materials for distribution to employees. An
understanding of the issues along with some "how to" information on recognizing potential
emission sources and proper handling of, and substitutions for ozone depleting substances
would provide the tools for voluntary compliance with a City policy. Existing publications
could be adapted to address City needs.
ENIISSION REGULATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Regulation of emissions within the community would entail a significant commitment of staff
time and funding to enforce national and local prohibitions. Potential components for
community regulation include:
• Prohibition of the manufacture, sale or distribution of products using ODSs.
Prohibition of venting of ODSs.
• Certification and approval of recharge and recovery equipment and technicians.
• Certification of lawful container sales.
• Prohibition of disposal of air conditioning and refrigeration systems without recovery
and recycling of ODSs.
• Technical assistance and education program providing information on alternatives to
products containing or manufactured with ODSs.
Inspection, certification and enforcement program.
The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is currently examining the potential for a
community education program and local enforcement of Federal Clean Air Act regulations.
APCD staff has proposed the formation of a working group that would include City staff to
analyze the functions of jurisdictions in a regional program and to shape a recommendation
for action. APCD is currently developing an orientation paper for potential participants
along with some ideas about what the group should attempt to accomplish, how much time
participation would take, and how the committee might function in forming
recommendations to jurisdictions.
SUMMARY
Stratospheric ozone protects life from the lethal effects of the suns ultraviolet radiation.
Current scientific evidence establishes that the ozone layer is being destroyed at an
accelerated rate due to our own industrial activities. While halocarbons have profoundly
contributed to technological advancement and enhanced the quality of life of millions of
people, it is this same pervasive usefulness to growing populations that now threatens the
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COUNCIL AGENDA REAR'S'
Ozone Depleting Substances
Page 5
ozone layer and, consequently, life support systems.
Federal law under the Clean Air Act regulates the sale and handling of major ozone
depletors and will prohibit the production of the most potent ODSs in the U.S. after 1995.
Although federal law is stern, enforcement is effectively nonexistent at the federal level.
Reducing emissions within the City organization can be based on development of policy and
a campaign to educate employees. Local enforcement and community education is being
discussed at the regional level with the Air Pollution Control District taking the lead. City
participation with the APCD might be the best approach to addressing community wide
reduction of ODS emissions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends ODS emission reduction within the City organization through adaptation
of existing education and information materials to reflect the City's specific needs and
distribution of materials to City employees. Several organizations, including the City of
Irvine, have developed promotional literature targeting specific segments of the residential,
commercial and industrial sectors which could be modified to reflect City specific needs.
Educating City employees about ozone depletors and their effects, and providing employees
with "how to" information would reduce emissions within the City's daily operations and
provide a group of well informed citizens to spread the word in their own communities.
Development of this in-house program is projected to take twelve hours of staff time a
month for one year.
To avoid a duplication of efforts and the significant costs of implementing a program within
the community, regulation of, and education about ODS emissions would best be addressed
at the regional level. Staff recommends City participation with the APCD in development
of a program which would reflect the City's interests and be recommended to the Board of
Supervisors for regional implementation. Based on discussions with APCD staff City
involvement in this planning process is projected to entail two hours of staff time a month
for one year to attend meetings of a working group which is now being formed by the
APCD. After the projected one year planning period, implementation would occur at the
regional level.
Involvement in these programs conforms with the City's planned Resource Management
approach to interconnected environmental issues and would be evaluated from this
perspective in a report to Council after the first year. Staff recommends that these two
tasks, entailing fourteen hours of staff time a month for one year, would best be
accomplished through the Solid Waste Coordinator position.
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