Purpose

In November 2005, the City of Burbank received a communication from the American Lung Association of California requesting that the City Council consider adopting a resolution in support of new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets set forth by Governor Schwarzenegger.

The purpose of this report is to request City Council approval of a resolution supporting California�s GHG emission reduction targets for 2010 and 2020. 

Background

In September 2004, then Mayor Ramos sent a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) supporting the creation of new regulations to reduce GHG emissions from motor vehicles as required by AB 1493 (Pavely), which was signed into law in September 2002.  According to AB 1493, motor vehicles are responsible for approximately 40 percent of the total GHG emissions in California.  GHG includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.  Although AB 1493 only addresses GHG emissions from mobile sources, Burbank Water and Power staff notes that utilities are the largest emitters of GHG. 

In an effort to build on the GHG emission regulations in AB 1493 and to continue California�s leadership in addressing air quality and climate protection issues, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an executive order on June 1, 2005 establishing GHG emission reduction targets and creating a Climate Action Team.

The GHG emission reduction targets set by the Governor�s executive order are as follows:

�      Reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2010

�      Reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020

�      Reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050

These reduction targets were established through an external technical evaluation of potential GHG emission reduction strategies conducted by the Tellus Institute, a nonprofit research and energy policy firm.  The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), CARB, and the California Energy Commission reviewed Tellus�s work and recommended targets to the Governor. 

The Climate Action Team, led by the Secretary of CalEPA, is responsible for implementing GHG emission reduction programs by prioritizing reduction strategies, directing strategy implementation to the appropriate state agency, and monitoring progress in achieving the reduction targets. 

ANALYSIS

Staff consulted with the Public Works Department (PW), the Community Development Department (CDD), and Burbank Water and Power (BWP) to determine if these departments are supportive of the new GHG emission reduction targets.  PW and CDD expressed no opposition to the City supporting the reduction targets.

As utilities are the largest contributors of GHG emissions, BWP carefully investigated whether or not the GHG emission reduction targets are technically and financially feasible.  BWP staff conducted an evaluation of the utility�s carbon dioxide emissions and determined that they are currently 11% below the 1990 level and meet the 2010 and 2020 targets.  However, BWP staff expressed concern about committing to the 2050 target, which is 80% below the 1990 level.  BWP staff believes that the long time range and various unknown factors, such as technology changes and financial constraints, make it imprudent to estimate emissions for 2050.

While BWP staff agrees with the overall policy goals associated with the reduction targets, they do not recommend that the City support the 2050 reduction targets.  Given BWP�s concerns, staff has prepared a resolution that supports the 2010 and 2020 targets for Council�s consideration, but omits the 2050 targets. 

A memo prepared by BWP�s staff on this item is attached for your information. 

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting a resolution supporting the Governor�s GHG emission reduction targets for 2010 and 2020.  There may be future costs to the City to implement programs to reduce GHG emissions; however those costs are unknown at this time.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the proposed resolution supporting California�s GHG emission reduction targets for 2010 and 2020. 

Attachment

BWP Memo

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