Resolution 1389RESOLUTION NO. 1389
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS
COMMITTING TO ACHIEVE OR EXCEED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
THE GOALS ESTABLISHED IN THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD
WHEREAS, climate change poses a grave threat to the health and well-being of this and
future generations in Edmonds and beyond; and
WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, human -caused climate change
is already killing some 150,000 people every year around the world; and
WHEREAS, people of color, immigrants, refugees, economically disadvantaged
residents, older people and children, people who are homeless, and people with existing mental
or health conditions will experience climate change disproportionately; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 EPA report, Climate Change in the United States: Benefits of
Global Action, states that global action on climate change would prevent nearly 70,000
premature American deaths annually by the end of the century while sparing the country
hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses; and
WHEREAS, Washington State has already experienced long- term warming, more
frequent nighttime heat waves, sea level rising along most of Washington's coast, increased
coastal ocean acidity, decline in glacial area and spring snowpack and the State Department of
Ecology has reported that, "human caused climate change poses an immediate and urgent
threat"; and
WHEREAS, economists have concluded that Washington's families and businesses are
likely to incur billions of dollars of annual economic costs if Washington state and other states
and nations fail to drive reductions in climate -changing greenhouse gas pollution. These
economics impacts include increased energy costs, coastal and storm damage, reduced food
production, increased wildland fire costs, and increased public health costs; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the immediate need to take strong and proactive action to
protect our environment, the City of Edmonds in 2006 established the Climate Protection
Committee with a core mission to:
1. Encourage Edmonds citizens to be a part of the solution
2. Encourage City staff and citizens to conserve current resources
3. Work with the City Council to implement ideas to preserve and enhance our
environment
4. Effectively address the future impacts of climate change
WHEREAS, the Climate Protection Committee has established key environmental
strategies to: 1) Reduce fossil fuels with renewable energy resources for energy supplied to
buildings, 2) Improve energy efficiency of and within buildings and 3) Require the design and
construction of new and remodeled commercial buildings to meet green building standards; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2017, Mayor Dave Earling signed the Mayors National Climate
Action Agenda and stated "In light of the [President's] decision to withdraw from the Paris
Accord, I feel it important for our city to emphasize our local commitment to, and continued
effort to improve our environment"; and
WHEREAS, as a signatory of the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance ("SELA"), Edmonds
has committed itself to being a regional and national leader in addressing the adverse impacts of
climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels; and enacted bold policies and programs to
reduce emissions from its transportation, building energy, and waste sectors and reduced
emissions while its population has grown; and
WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement resulted in a commitment from almost every nation to
take action and enact programs to limit global temperature increase to less than 2 degrees
Celsius, with an expectation that this goal would be reduced to 1.5 degrees in the future; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington has mandated statewide reduction of GHG
emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 1129 on September 18, 2006
adopting the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd Annual U.S.
Conference of Mayors meeting; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 1129 also requested semi-annual updates to City Council
regarding the progress of the City in implementing the following program milestones: 1)
Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast for the City, 2) Establish a
greenhouse gas emission target (GHG), 3) Develop an action plan to meet the local greenhouse
emissions target, 4) Implement the action plan and 5) periodically review progress and update
the plan; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2010 the City of Edmonds completed a Climate Change
Action Plan and within the plan it reported Edmonds buildings account for approximately one-
third of Edmond's GHG emissions for lighting, heating, cooling, and cooking; and
WHEREAS, the Climate Change Action plan states replacing fossil fuel -derived energy
with renewable energy sources for both city owned buildings and throughout our community is
critical to achieving the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set forth in the City's Climate
Action Plan and the Compact of Mayors, to which the City is a signatory; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that energy consumers and the utilities serving them take
early action to reduce carbon emissions given the accelerating rate climate change the planet is
experiencing, and shifting to 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025 is within
reach; and
WHEREAS, "renewable energy" includes energy derived from hydrogen, wind power
sited in ecologically responsible ways, solar, existing and low -impact hydroelectric, geothermal,
biogas (including biogas produced from biomass), and ocean/wave technology sources.
"Renewable energy" specifically excludes energy derived from fossil fuels, nuclear, biomass
feedstocks sourced from state and federal lands, hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, and
incineration of municipal and medical waste; and
WHEREAS, the Edmonds City Council has demonstrated its commitment to
environmental stewardship and the health and safety of Edmonds residents by numerous other
actions, including passing Resolution 1362 on June 28, 2016 stating its opposition to the
transport of crude oil by rail;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, THAT:
Section 1: City Council fully supports Mayor Dave Earling's June 6, 2017 endorsement
of the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda.
Section 2: City Council rededicates itself to partnering with the City administration and
Edmonds citizens to identify the benefits and costs of adopting policies and programs that
promote the long-term goal of greenhouse gas emissions reduction while maximizing economic
and social benefits of such action.
Section 3: The Planning Department and the Climate Protection Committee will report
annually to the City Council our current municipal and community -wide GHG inventory starting
in 2018.
Section 4: The Planning Department and the Climate Protection Committee will establish
and recommend to City Council a GHG emissions reduction target goal for both the near term
and long term by July 1, 2018.
Section 5: The Planning Department and the Climate Protection Committee will update
our City's Climate Change Action Plan and review the specific strategies for meeting the
emissions reduction target as well as tying mitigation with adaptation measures where possible.
Section. 6: The City establishes the following renewable energy goals for both municipal
facilities and for the City at large:
i. 100% renewable energy for municipal facilities by 2019; and,
ii. 100% renewable energy for the City's community electricity supply by 2025.
Section 7: By November 1, 2018, the Planning Department and the Climate Protection
Committee will develop a work plan, including options, methods and financial resources needed
and an associated timeline and milestones to achieve these renewable energy goals.
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RESOLVED this 27t" day of June, 2017.
ATTEST/AUT NTICATED:
Y CLERK, SC PASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
RESOLUTION NO.
APPROV.ED:
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TOM
June 28, 2017
June 27, 2017
1389
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