Resolution Template - Elected Officials to Protect California



RESOLUTION NO. ______

RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CREATE A PLAN TO PHASE OUT FOSSIL FUELS PRODUCTION TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLIMATE

THE [CITY/COUNTY] COUNCIL OF THE [CITY/COUNTY] OF _______________ DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

WHEREAS, the State of California has maintained a long and protracted battle against air pollution since the early twentieth century, adopting innovative regulations even before the federal government took action; and

WHEREAS, California’s leadership in the fight against air pollution includes the adoption, in the 1960s, of the first tailpipe emissions’ standards in the United States; these standards have now been adopted by eleven other states and the District of Columbia (DC). As Congress adopted the Clean Air Act (CAA), it recognized California’s earlier efforts by allowing the State to keep its own set of emissions’ standards; and

WHEREAS, as global warming and rising temperatures grabbed the attention of public opinion, and some elected officials accepted that climate change is due to human activity, and more specifically, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), California once again showed leadership. In 2005, then Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order (EO) S-3-05 that set GHG emissions reduction targets for the State of California and laid out responsibilities among the state agencies for implementing the EO and for reporting on progress toward the targets. The targets were: by 2010, reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels; by 2020, reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels, and by 2050, reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Former Governor Jerry Brown, California continued its pathway to reducing emissions. In 2015, Former Governor Brown issued EO B-30-15, which added an intermediate target to reduce by 2030, GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels. California demonstrated global leadership by leading discussions focused on global warming and climate change. California has also been a leading voice of the Under 2 Coalition (U2C), an organization that focuses on three main courses of action: inventories of greenhouse gases (GHG); defining pathways to 2030 and 2050 emissions reductions; and working groups focused on sharing innovative climate policy; and signed into law SB 100, the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, which mandates 100 percent clean energy to be used in electricity generation by the year 2045; and

WHEREAS, Despite some gains in cleaning the State’s air, the burning of fossil fuels continues to be the main culprit for poor air quality and rising temperatures. In California, it is estimated that approximately 5.4 million people live within a mile of one or more oil and gas wells. Production of oil and gas is a significant contributor to California’s GHG emissions, and is particularly polluting.

WHEREAS, according to a report published in November 2017 by the Center for Biological Diversity, three-quarters of California’s oil production is as dirty for the climate as Canada’s tar sands crude; and

WHEREAS, according to a Stanford study published in “Energy, The International Journal” (A roadmap for repowering California for all purposes with wind, water, and sunlight), the impacts of fossil fuel use and resulting climate change, including air pollution, droughts, fires, mudslides, storms, and sea level rise, has already cost Californians more than 12,000 lives and one hundred billion dollars, annually; yet the oil and gas industry contributes less than 0.3 percent of California's GDP and a small number of jobs; and

WHEREAS, scientific evidence demonstrates that exposure to toxic air contaminants and other pollution caused by oil and gas wells is a significant threat to public health, and disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities and people of color. According to the California Council on Science and Technology, the greatest health risks occur within one-half mile from active oil and gas development, yet nearly 8,500 active California oil and gas wells are within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, and hospitals; and

WHEREAS, Elected Officials to Protect California (EOPCA) was established in 2018 by a group of elected officials that are committed to environmental stewardship and combating climate change; EOPCA advocates for a fossil, carbon free state; and

WHEREAS, according to the group’s website, “EOPCA is a statewide, non-partisan network of California elected officials across the state committed to protecting our communities, public health, and climate for all we represent”. The mission of EOPCA is consistent with the [City/County]’s core values and adopted policies; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that the globe is in a climate emergency, and given the grave public health and environmental justice consequences of fossil fuel production in California, the [City Council / County Board of Supervisors] is recommended to join the EOPCA and its members in urging Governor Gavin Newsom to end the issuance of permits for new fossil fuel projects, including permits for new oil and gas wells, infrastructure for fossil fuels, and petrochemical projects in California; and

WHEREAS, EOPCA also calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to design a swift, managed decline of all fossil fuel production, starting with a 2,500-foot human health buffer zone around all occupied structures, public parks and farms to protect public health and vulnerable communities; and

WHEREAS, EOPCA also calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to commit the state to 100% clean, renewable energy, starting with significant investments in disadvantaged communities and areas that are already suffering the most from the negative impacts of fossil fuel extraction; and

WHEREAS, phasing out fossil fuel production is paramount to address climate change, and will make California healthier and cleaner while reducing water use. It will also create hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state as we increase investment in renewable energy, clean vehicles and buildings, energy efficiency, public transportation, and other innovative solutions; and

WHEREAS, the [City/County] of ______________ has taken several actions in support of policies that protect the environment and reduce humans’ carbon-footprint; and

WHEREAS, the [City Council / County Board of Supervisors] of the [City/County] of _______________ has adopted numerous resolutions in support of initiatives and legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions, reducing the carbon footprint of humans and demand additional investment in cleaner technologies and renewables; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the [City Council / County Board of Supervisors] calls on Governor Gavin Newsom make a statewide plan to phase out exploration and production of fossil fuels in California; beginning with:

1. Ending the issuance of permits for new fossil fuel projects, including permits for new oil and gas wells, infrastructure for fossil fuels, and petrochemical projects in California.

2. Designing a swift, managed decline of all fossil fuel production, starting with a 2,500-foot human health and safety buffer zone around all homes, hospitals, schools, playgrounds, and farms to protect public health and address the severe environmental injustice of production in low-income communities and communities of color.

3. Committing the state to 100% clean, renewable energy in all sectors, starting with significant investments in disadvantaged communities and areas that are already suffering the most from the worst impacts of fossil fuel extraction and climate change; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the [City Council / County Board of Supervisors] of the [City/County] of _______________ supports the mission of EOPCA to phase out exploration and production of fossil fuels in California.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS ____ day of _____, 20__.

MAYOR / CHAIRPERSON

ATTEST:

[City/County] Clerk

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