HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-022 Joint resolution County Commission and PT City Council to address energy use and climate change
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD }
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE }
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL TO }
COMMIT TO ADDRESSING ENERGY USE }
AND CLIMATE CHANGE/GLOBAL }
WARMING
44-07
COUNTY RESOLUTION NO.
07-022
CITY RESOLUTION NO.
The Board of County Commissioners of Jefferson County, Washington, and the City Council of Port
Townsend, Washington, do jointly resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, numerous scientific organizations have determined that warming of the climate
system is unequivocal as evidenced by increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, receding
glaciers, decreasing snow pack, and coral bleaching, and by rising global mean sea levels, and further is
potentially damaging to our environment and our economy; and
WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning offossil fuels, e.g., coal, oil and gas,
accounts for more than 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and that the U.S. produces nearly one
quarter of all global emissions; and
WHEREAS the governments of Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend can greatly
influence the community's energy usage by exercising power over land use, transportation, building
construction, waste management, and energy supply and management; and
WHEREAS governments can provide leadership by motivating and supporting citizens to improve
energy use within businesses, port facilities, schools, churches, and homes; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend recognize that the probable adverse
effects on our citizens and infrastructure, and on our mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, oceans, and other
waterways from severe weather, rising temperatures, and rising sea levels due to climate change pose a risk
to future economic viability; and
WHEREAS, actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency
provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures,
saving money and reducing tax burdens for governments, businesses and citizens;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend
commit to collaborate in a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, specifically:
. Collaborating with the Climate Protection Campaign volunteers in conducting a comprehensive
baseline inventory of local energy uses that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, especially C02,
and making estimates of current emissions and forecasts of future emissions if current practices do
not change,
. Appointing a joint City/County citizen's committee tasked with developing a Local Climate Action
Plan. Specifically, the committee should provide recommendations for achieving a community-
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wide standard of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to levels 80 percent lower than 1990 levels by
2050, with preliminary reduction targets to be set for earlier years,
. Implementing policies and measures to meet the emission reduction targets, and
. Monitoring and verifying results
This resolution shall become effective upon adoption by the Board of County Commissioners and the City
of Port Townsend.
DAY OF MAY, 2007.
APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS 29th
SEAL
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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DAY OF ,2007.
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
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Mark Welch, Mayor