RESOLUTION NO. ----
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND A CALL TO SET GREENHOUSE GAS ("GHG") REDUCTION GOALS FOR PASADENA THAT ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2030 IN ADVANCE OF CALIFORNIA'S 2045
RECOMMENDATION
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2018, the City of Pasadena ("City") adopted a Climate Action Plan ("CAP) based on the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 ("AB 32") and focuses on five specific GHG reduction strategies: Energy Efficiency and Conservation; Sustainable Mobility and Land Use; Solid Waste Reduction; Water Conservation; and Urban Greening; and
WHEREAS, the CAP reinforces Pasadena's commitment to providing sources of renewable power and reducing GHG emissions by meeting or exceeding state required emissions reduction targets; and
WHEREAS, the City has already implemented a number of important actions to achieve CAP GHG reduction goals including but not limited to a commitment to procuring only low carbon generating resources and phasing out all fossil fuel contracts, and offering a 100 percent renewable Green Program rate option for customers; and WHEREAS, the City has declared a water supply shortage and has enacted stringent water conservation policies and strategies to mitigate the effects of ongoing drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City actively promotes active transportation, public transit, and continues to demonstrate leadership in accelerating the adoption of Electric Vehicle ("EV") technology with Pasadena having one of the highest percentages of registered EVs in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted ordinances to achieve long-term GHG reduction including a requirement to include electrification in new building designs, prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, and prohibiting polystyrene food packaging in Pasadena; and
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WHEREAS, the City continues to exceed CAP Urban Greening targets by restoring greenspace and planting new trees to improve carbon sequestration, reduce urban heat-island effect, and increase opportunities for active recreation; and WHEREAS, the City has developed partnerships with community-based organizations for inclusive energy efficiency and water conservation programs and actively engages the community in conservation strategies; and WHEREAS, the City recently implemented a comprehensive GHG Inventory process to measure actual and forecasted emissions of municipal operations and the community to gauge the ongoing progress of the CAP; and WHEREAS, California continues to pass successor legislation that expands on the goals of AB 32 and prioritizes climate change mitigation strategies; and WHEREAS, in the 2022 Scoping Plan for Carbon Neutrality ("Scoping Plan"), the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") has set a recommended GHG emissions reduction target of 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045, and updates the Scoping Plan every five years with increasingly ambitious targets; and WHEREAS, in Policy D-135.966, the American Medical Association has declared climate change as a "public health crisis that threatens the health and well-being of all individuals" and promises to advocate for policies that limit global warming, reduce GHG emissions, and support clean energy solutions; and
. WHEREAS, according to the California Energy Commission, the percentage of California's energy that comes from renewable resources continues to increase as the state moves toward 100 percent clean energy; and
WHEREAS, proactive planning is required to ensure that GHG emissions reduction can be achieved while maintaining a power supply portfolio that meets customer needs, satisfies local and state reliability requirements, and minimizes electric rate impacts and volatility; and
WHEREAS, the City's role as a publicly owned utility is governed by local, state, and federal laws and regulations; multi-party agreements; and bond documents which direct and/or impact operating and investing decisions; and I II
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WHEREAS, Pasadena Water and Power ("PWP") undergoes its Power Integrated Resource ("IRP") planning process every five years, which guides how Pasadena's electricity will be sourced for the next 20 years; and WHEREAS, the City is committed to demonstrating aggressive action and ongoing leadership in combating climate change and has set GHG targets that will I
achieve carbon neutrality before 2045.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pasadena as follows:
Section 1. The City Council hereby declares that climate change is an emergency that threatens the health and welfare of our city, region, state, nation, and the environment.
Section 2. The City commits to environmental stewardship and continued leadership in sustainability.
Section 3. The City Council hereby sets a policy goal to reduce GHG emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 in advance of the 2045 recommended target outlined in CARB's 2022 Scoping Plan, as is practicable while maintaining reliability and affordability of service.
Section 4. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to utilize the IRP process to optimize the cost, stability, and reliability of electricity associated with achieving the goals described in Section 3.
Section 5. In the event of changes in state, federal, or local GHG emissions reduction targets, all laws, regulatory requirements, and mandated policies and procedures shall supersede any objective or goal described in this resolution.
Section 6. The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Pasadena Water and Power General Manager.
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Adopted at the regular meeting of the City Council on the __ day of January, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Approved as to form:
Lisa Hosey
Assistant City Attorney
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4 Mark Jomsky
City Clerk