HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2286 - Adopting a strategy to manage and reduce energy and fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissionsCITY OF MARYSVILLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE : M ay 10 2010" AGENDA ITEM: Resolution -Greenhouse Ga
Reduction Policies
s Emission
PREPARED BY.
Cheryl Dungan, Planning Manager -Land Use
ATTACHMENTS:
l. Draft Resolution
2. RCW 70.235
BUDGET CODE:
'--.
AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
APPROVED BY:
MAYOR I CAO
AMOUNT:
DESCRlPTION:
A growing body of research has indicated that greenhouse gas emissions caused by
human activity are changing the global climate in ways that could be detrimental to our
future health and well-being. In 2008, the Washington State Legislature created a climate
change framework whi.ch established state greenhouse emission reduction limits; the
legislature also adopted Chapter 70.235 RCW Limiting greenhouse gas emissions This
legislation requires overall emissions of greenhouse gases to be reduced to 1990 levels by
2020, and by 2035 to 25 percent below 1990 levels. RCW 70.235.070 also requires state
agencies awarding competitive funds to consider whether the entity receiving funds has
adopted greenhouse gas reduction policies.
The attached draft resolution contains policies which provide cost effective measures to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the City of Marysville. These measures include
saving taxpayer dollars through energy efficiency, improving air quality and related
public health benefits. Because of the implications in receiving competitive funds, staff
routed the draft resolution to the Department of Ecology for review. Ecology staff
indicated that the policies are in line with the minimum greenhouse gas guidelines and
are adequate to allow the City to be eligible for state competitive flmding.
It should be noted that the City has implemented or is in the process of implementing all
of the policies included in the draft resolution.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends the City Council approve the Resolution
Adopting a Strategy to Manage and Reduce Energy and Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas
Emissions.
COUNCIL ACTION:
CITY OF MARYSVILLE
Marysville, Washington
RESOLUTION NO"?') g"k
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARYVILLE ADOPTING A STRATEGY
TO MANAGE AND REDUCE ENERGY AND FUEL CONSUMPTION AND
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Marysville Council exists to promote the welfare of the citizens of
Marysville, Washington, and recognizes that escalating fuel consumption and vehicular emissions
can be harmful to the health of the people, the economy, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that by improving the energy efficiency in all its operations
and fleet it can have a significant monetary savings in the long term; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes and supports efforts to reduce waste, reuse material and
recycle; and promotes the practice of sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building
Council's LEED program or similar system; and
WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing
greenhouse gas pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such
as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic
congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through
energy conservation and new energy technologies; and
WHEREAS, the City has funded carbon reduction and climate protection measures to
improve pedestrian mobility, bicycle routes and public transit access in city transportation corridors,
and has adopted a Commute Trip Reduction program; and
WHEREAS, local governments influence a community's emissions by exercising key powers
over land use, transportation, construction, waste management, and energy management; and
WHEREAS, a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold Determination of Non
significance was issued on April 26, 2010.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE,
WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS:
The City of Marysville hereby declares its intention to adopt the following strategies to manage and
reduce energy and fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions:
1. Improve online permitting capabilities and availability of online information.
2. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb
C02; and support the City's participation in the Tree City USA program.
3. Purchase only EPA Energy Star-certified and other high efficiency devices whenever
possible, and consolidate duplicative devices to further reduce electricity consumption.
4. Make energy efficiency a priority through retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient
lighting; where available use programmable systems to automatically idle electronic
equipment; and urge employees to conserve energy and save money.
RESOLUTION -1
__
5. Conserve fossil fuels. Staff should practice efficient driving habits, carpool, avoid idling
vehicles for longer than 30 seconds, and use appropriately-sized vehicles. The City
should continue to participate in the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program.
6. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building
Council's LEED program or a similar system.
7. Conserve natural resources. Staff shall reduce paper consumption and plastic bottle use,
and recycle all recyclable materials.
8. Promote the use of alternative energy sources where feasible.
9. Monitor and evaluate opportunities to utilize State tools and resources to support the
local program and to stay compliant with State environmental and energy laws.
10. Support appropriate Federal and State policies and legislation that will lead to the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
11. Such other and further measures as are reasonable, feasible and appropriate in the
judgment of the City Council.
PASSED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this /D fA day of May 2010.
CI,,\\. MAMARR':LE BY'~~
DENNIS KENDALL, MAYOR
Attest: ~
By: nLIJ.p . ~~-,txCYJE ~LERK
Approved as to form: ~
By: G~t.L},,]
GRANT 1<. WEED, CITYTIORNEY
RESOLUTION -2
Chapter 70.235 RCW: Limiting greenhouse gas emissions Page 1 of6
Chapter 70.235 RCW
Limiting greenhouse gas emissions
RCW Sections
70 235.005 Findings --Intent.
70.235.010 Definitions.
70.235.020 Greenhouse gos emissions reductions --Reporting requirements.
70.235030 Development of a design for a regional multi sector market-based system to limit and reduce
emissions of greenhouse gas --Information required to be submitted to the legislature
70.235.040 Consultation with climate impacts group at the University of Washington --Report to the
legislature.
70.235.050 Greenhouse gas emission limits for state agencies -Timeline --Reports --Strategy --Point of
accountability employee for energy and climate change initiatives.
70.235060 Emissions calculator for estimating aggregate emissions --Reports
70.235.070 Distribution of funds for infrastructure and capital development projects --Prerequisites.
70.235.900 Scope of chapter 14, Laws of 2008.
70.235.901 Severability --2008 c 14.
70.235.005
Findings -Intent.
(1) The legislature finds that Washington has long been a national and international leader on energy conservation and
environmental stewardship, including air quality protection, renewable energy development and generation, emission
standards for fossil-fuel based energy generation, energy efficiency programs, natural resource conservation, vehicle emission
standards, and the use of biofuels. Washington is 81so unique among most states in that in addition to its comm:trnent to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, it has established goals lo grow the clean energy sector and reduce the state's
expenditures on imported fuels.
(2) The legislature further finds that Washington should continue its leadership on climate change policy by creating
accountability for achieving the emission reductions established in RCW 70.235.020, participating in the design of a regional
multisector market-based system to help achieve those emission reductions, assessing other market strategies to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases, and ensuring the state has a well trained workforce for our clean energy future.
(3) It is the intent of the legislature that the state will: (a) Limit and reduce emissions of greennouse gas consistent with the
emission reductions established in RCW 70.235.020; (b) minimize the potential to export pollution, jobs, and economic
oppor-unities; and (c) reduce emissions al the lowest cost 10 Washington's economy, consumers, and businesses.
(4) In the event the stale elects to participate in a regional multisector market-based system, it is the intent of the legislature
that the system will become effective by January 1,2012, after authority IS provided to the department for its irnplementation.
By acting now, Washington businesses and citizens will have adequate time and opportunities to be well positioned to take
advantage of the low-carbon economy and to make necessary investments in low-carbon technology.
(5) It is also the intent of the legislature that the regional multisector market-based system recognize Washington's unique
emissions portfolio, includ',ng the state's hydroelectric system, the opportunities presented by Washington's abundant forest
resources and agriCUlture land. and the stale's leadership in energy efficiency and the actions it has already taken tha~ have
reduced its generation of greenrouse gas emissions and that entities receive appropriate credit for early actions to reduce
greenhouse gases.
(6) If any revenues that accrue to the state are created by a market system, they must be used to further the state's efforts
to rlchieve the goals established in RCW 70.235.020, address the impacts of global warming on affected habitats, species,
and communities, and increase investment in the clean energy economy particularly for comrnunities and workers tha: have
suffered from heavy job losses and chronic unemployment and underemployment.
[2008 c 14 § 1 )
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Chapter 70.235 RCW: Limiting greenhouse gas emissions Page 2 of 6
70.235.010
Definitions .
••• CHANGE IN 2010 ••• (SEE 6373-S.SL) •••
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Carbon dioxide equivalents" means a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases
based upon the'r glonal warming potential.
(2) "Climate advisory leam" means the stakeholder group formed in response 10 executive order 07 -02.
(3) "Climate impacts group" means the University of Washington's climate impacts group.
(4) "Department" means the department of ecology.
(5) "Direct emissions" means emissions of greenhouse gases from sources of emissions, including stationary combustion
sources. mobile combustion emissions. process emissions, and fugitive emissions.
(6) "Director" means the director of the department.
(7) "Greenhouse gas" ,md "greenhouse gases" includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexaflL:oride.
(8) "Indirect em;ssions" means emissions of greenhouse gases associated with the purchase of electricity, heating, cooling,
or steam.
(9) "Person" means an individual, partnership, franchise holder, association, corporation, a state, a city, a county, or any
subdivision or instrume:1tality of the state.
(10) "Program" means the department's climate change program.
(11) "Total emissions of greenhouse gases" means all direct emissions and all indirect emissions.
(12) ''Western climate initiative" means the collaboration of states, Canadian provinces, Mexican states, and tribes to
design a mu:tisector market-based mechanism as directed under the western regional climate action initiative signed by the
governor on February 22, 2007.
[2008 c 14 § 2 )
70.235.020
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions -Reporting requirements.
(1 )(a) The state shall limit emissions of greenhouse gases to achieve the following emiSSion reductions for Washington state:
(i) By 2020, reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases in the state to 1990 levels;
(ii) By 2035, reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases in the state to twenty-five percent below 1990 levels;
(iii) By 2050, the state will do its part to reach global climate stabilization levels by reducing overall emissions to fifty percent
below 1990 levels, or seventy percent below the state's expected emissions that year.
(b) By December 1,2008, the department shall submit a greenhouse gas reduction plan for review and approval to the
legislClture, describing those actions necessClry to achieve the emission reductions in (a) of this subsection by using existing
statutory authority and any additional authority granted by the legislature. Actions taken using existing statutory authority may
proceed prior to approvol of the gre::;nhouse 90S reduction plan.
(e) Excert where explicitly stated otherwise, nothing in chapter 14, Laws of 2008 limits any state agency authorities as they
existed prior to June 12. 2008.
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Chapter 70.235 RCW: Limiting greenhouse gas emissions Page30f6
(d) Consistent with this directive, the department shall take the following actions
(i) Develop and implement a system for monitoring and reporting emissions of greenhouse gases as required under RCW
70.94.151; and
(ii) Track progress toward meeting the emission reductions established in this subsection, including the results from policies
currently in effect that have been previously adopted by the state and policies adopted in the future, ,md report on that
progress,
(2) By December 31 st of each even-numbered year beginning in 2010, the department and the 'department of community,
trade, and economic development shall report to the govemor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of
representatives the total emissions of greenhouse gases for the preceding two years, and totals in each major source sector.
The department shall ensure the reporting rules adopted under RCW 70.94,151 allow it to develop a comprehensive inventory
of emissions of greenhouse gases from a:1 significant sectors of the Washington economy
(3) Except for purposes of reporting, emissions of carbon dioxide from industrial combustion of biomass in the form of fuel
wood, wood waste, wood by-products, and wood residuals shall not be considered a greenhouse gas as long as the region's
silvicultural sequestration capacity is maintained or increased.
(2008 c 14 § 3.J
Notes:
*Reviser's note: The "department of community, trade, and economic development" was renamed the
"department of commerce" by 2009 c 565,
70.235.030
Development of a design for a regional multisector market-based system to limit and reduce emissions of
greenhouse gas -Information required to be submitted to the legislature.
(1 )(a) The director shalt develop, in coordination with the western climate initiative, a design for a regional mullisector market
based system to limit and reduce emissions 01 greenhouse gas consistent with the emission reductions established in RCW
70.235.020(1 ),
(b) By December 1, 2008, the director and the director of the 'department of community, trade, and economic development
shalt deliver to the legislature specific recommendations for approval and request for authority to implement the preferred
design of a regional multisector market-based system in (a) of this subsection. These recommendations must include:
(i) Proposed legislation, necessary funding, and the schedule necessary to implement the preferred design by January 1,
2012;
(ii) Any changes determined necessary to the reporting requirements established under RCW 70.94.151; and
(iii) Actions that the state should take to prevent manipulation of the multiseclor market-based system designed under this
section.
(2) In developing the design for the regional multisector market-based system under subsection (1) of this section, the
department shall consult witr the affected state agencies. and provide opportunity for public review and comment.
(3) In addition to the information required under subsection (1 )(b) of this section, the director and the director of the
'department of community, trade, and economic development shall submit the following to the legislature by December 1,
2008:
(a) Information on progress to date in achieving the requirements of chapter 14, Laws of 2008;
(b) The finsl recommendations of the climate advisory team, including recommended most prcmising actions to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases or otherwise respond to climate change. These recommendations must include strategies to
reduce the quantity of emissions of greenhouse gases per distance traveled in the transportation sector;
(c) A request for additional resources and statutory authority needed to limit and reduce emissions of greenhouse gas
consistent with chapter 14, Laws of 2008 including implementation of the most promising recommendations of the climate
advisory team;
(d) Recommendations on how projects funded by the green energy incentive account in RCIN 43325,040 may be used to
expand the electrical transmission infrastructure into urban and rural areas of the state for purposes of allowing the recharging
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of plug-in hybnd electric vehicles;
(e) Recommendations on how local governments could participate in the multiseclor market-based system designed under
subsection (1) of this section;
(f) Recommendations regarding the circumstances under which generation of electricity or alternative fuel from landfin gas
and gas from anaerobic digesters may receive an offset or credit in the regional mullisector market-based system or other
strategies developed by the department; and
(9) f'~ecommendations developed in consultation with the department of natural resources and l~le department of agriculture
with the climate advisory team, the college of forest resources at the University of Washington, and the Washington State
University, and a nonprofit consortium involved in research on renewable industrial materials, regarding how forestry and
agriculturallarejs and practices may participate voluntarily as an offset or other credit program in the regional mullisector
market-based system. The recommendations must ensure that the baseline for this offset or credit program does not
disadvantage this state in relation to another state or states. These recommendations shall address:
(i) Commercial and other working forests, including accounting for sile-class specific forest management practices;
(ii) Agricultural and forest products, including accounting for substitution of wood for fossil intensive SUbstitutes;
(iii) Agricultural land and practices;
(iv) Forest and agricultural lands set asido or managed for conservation as of. or after, June 12, 2008; and
(v) Reforestation and afforestation projects.
12008 c 14 § 4.J
Notes:
'Reviser's note: The "department of community, trade, and economic development" was renamed the
"department of commerce" by 2009 c 565.
70.235.040
Consultation with climate impacts group at the University of Washington -Report to the legislature.
Within eighteen months of the next and each successive global or national assessment of climate change science, the
department shall consult witll the climate impacts group at the University of Washington regarding the science on humon
caused climate change and provide a report to the legislature summi'lfizing that science and make recommendations
regarding whether the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required under RCW 70.235.020 need to be updated.
12008 c 14 § 7J
70.235.050
Greenhouse gas emission limits for state agencies -Timeline -Reports -Strategy -Point of
accountability employee for energy and climate change initiatives.
(1) All state agencies shall meet the statewide greenhouse gas emission limits established in RCW 70.235.020 to achieve the
following, using the estimates and strategy established in subsections (2) and (3) of this section:
(a) By July 1, 2020, reduce emissions by fifteen percent from 2005 emission levels;
(b) By 2035, reduce emissions to thirty-six percent below 2005 levels; and
(c) By 2050, reduce emissions to the greater reduction of fifty-seven and one-half percent below 2005 levels, or seventy
percent below the expected state government emissions that year.
(2)(a) By June 3D, 2010, all state agencies shall report estimates of emissions for 2005 to the department, inci'Jding 2009
levels of emissions, and projected emissions through 2035.
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Chapter 70.235 RCW: Limiting greenhouse gas emissions Page 5 of 6
(b) State agencies required to report under RCW 70.94.151 must estimate errissions from methodologies recommended by
ltle cepClrtrnent and must be based on actual operation or tllOse 398ncies. Agencies not required to report under RCW
70.94.151 shall derive emissions estimates using an emissions calculator provided by the department.
(3) By June 30, 2011, eacll stale agency shall submit to tile department a strategy to meelthe requ'rements in subsection
(1) or this section. The strotogy must address employee travel (lctivities, teleconferencing alternatives, and include existing
and proposed actions, a timeline for reductions, and recommendations for budgetary and other incentives to reduce
emissions, especially from employee business lravel.
(4) By October 1st of each even-numbered year beginning in 2012, each state agency shall report to the department the
actions taken to meet the emission reduction targets under lhe strategy ror the preceding fiscal biennium. The department may
authorize the department of general administration to report on behalf of any stata agency having fewer than five hundred full
time equivalent em[1loyees at any time during the reporting period The department shall cooperate with the department of
generClI administration and the "department of community, trade, and economic development 10 develop consolida1ed
reporting methodologies that incorporate emission reduction actions taken across all or substantially all state agancies.
(5) All state agencies shall cooperate in providing information to the department, the department of general administration,
and the 'department or community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this section.
(6) The governor shall designate a person as the single point of accountability for all energy and climate change initiatives
within state agencies. This position must be funded from current full-time equivalent allocations without increasing budgets or
staffing levels. If duties must be shifted within an agency, they must be shifted among current full-time equivalent allocations.
All agencies, councils, or work groups with energy or climate change initiatives shall coordinate with this designee.
[2009 c 519 § 2.)
Notes:
·Rcviser's note: The "department of community, trade, and economic development" was renamed the
"department of commerce" by 2009 c 565.
Findings .-2009 c 519: See RCW 43.21M.900.
70.235.060
Emissions calculator for estimating aggregate emissions -Reports.
(1) The department shall develop an emissions calculator to assist state agencies in estimating aggregate emissions as well
as in estimating the relative emissions from different ways in carrying out activities.
(2) The department may use data such as totals of building space occupied, energy purchases and generation, motor
vehicle fuel purchases and total mileage driven, and other reasonable sources of data to make these estimates. The estimates
may be t1erived from a single methodology using these or other factors, except that for the top ten state agencies in occupied
building space and vehicle miles driven, the estimates must be based upon the actual and projected operations of those
agencies. The estimates may be adjusted, and reasonable estimates derived, when agencies have been created since 1990
or functions reorgal1ized among slate agencies since 1990. The estimates may incorporate projected emissions reductions
that also affect state agencies under the program authorized in RCW 70.235.020 and other eXisting policies that will result in
emissions reductions.
(3) By December 31st or each even-numbered year beginning in 2010, the department shall report to the governor and to
the appropriate committees of lhe senate and house of representatives the total state agencies' emissions of greenhouse
gases for 2005 and the preceding two years and actions taken to meet the emissions reduction targets.
[2009 c 519 § 51
Notes:
Findings --2009 c 519: See RCW 43.21M.900.
70.235.070
Distribution of funds for infrastructure and capital development projects -Prerequisites.
B8ginning in 2010, when d'lstriout'rng capHal runds through competitive Dragrams for infrastructure ann economic neveJopmenl
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RCW 'l0.nS.(no: Distrihution of funds for infrastructure and capital development project... Page 1 of 1
RCW 70.235.070
Distribution of funds for infrastructure and capital development projects -Prerequisites.
Beginning in 2010, when distributing capital funds through competi:ive programs for infrastructure and economic development
projects, all state agencies must consider whether the entity receiving the funds has adopted policies to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. Agencies also must consider whether the project is consistent with:
(1) The state's limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases established in RCIN 70.235020;
(2) Statewide goals :0 reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled by 2050, in accordance with RCW 47.01.440, except
that the agency shall consider whether project locations in rural counties, as defined in RCW 43.160.020, will maximize the
reduction of vetlicle miles traveled; and
(3) Applicable federal emissions reduction requirements.
12009 c 519 § 9.)
Notes:
Findings --2009 c 519: See RCW 43.21 M.900.
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