HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11044 establishing a ‘Clean Energy Choice Policy’ to guide the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and use of fossil fuels for buildings and transportationRESOLUTION NO. 11044 (2019 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A "CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE
POLICY" 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.
R 11044
Resolution No. 11044 (2019 Series) Page 2
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. The Community Development Department should only issue a building
permit for a new building if it is an all -electric building or if the applicant meets the City's current
Reach Code and Carbon Offset Program requirements.
Upon motion of Vice Mayor Pease, seconded by Council Member Gomez and on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Christianson and Gomez, Vice Mayor Pease and Mayor Harmon
NOES: Council Member Stewart
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 3rd day of September 2019.
Mayor Heidi
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
LNU
J./ehris-Fine Dietrick
ty Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this It;"� day o , 2019.
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
R 11044