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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso No 2010-059RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -059 JI A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 23 WHEREAS, California's economy is still suffering from a severe economic recession with an unemployment rate of more than 12% with more than two million out of work; and WHEREAS, local governments are facing budget deficits and potential spending cuts as a result of reduced revenues due to the recession; and WHEREAS, California's global warming law (AB 32) would impose significant additional costs on California cities and counties, specifically an up to 60% increase in electricity rates, increased natural gas costs and increased transportation fuel costs; and WHEREAS, AB 32 would also burden many local governments with a new state - mandated fee on,some local facilities such as waste - treatment plants, landfills, cogeneration facilities and other operations totaling several billion dollars; and WHEREAS, the increased costs resulting from AB 32 would reduce economic activity and result in more than one million lost jobs; and WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board and others have determined that AB 32's higher energy costs and job losses will disproportionately impact low- income families and small businesses; and WHEREAS, 'the reduced .economic activity resulting from AB 32 would reduce revenues to local governments and the state which could equal between $2.2 billion to $5.8 billion per year; and WHEREAS, according to the California Air Resources, Board -and. ot her experts, the greenhouse gas emission reductions from AB 32 would` have .no measurable impact on global warming; and WHEREAS, the Proposition 23 would temporarily suspend AB 32 until such time as the economy recovers, specifically when the'unemployment rate returns tS 5.5% for four consecutive quarters; and +` WHEREAS, the Proposition 23 would be a prudent strategy for local governments to avoid higher costs and reduced revenues so that they would have more resources to dedicate for delivering vital public services; and Resolution No. 2010 -059 Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, according to the independent Legislative Analyst, "During the likely suspension of AB 32, state administrative costs to develop and enforce regulations pursuant to AB 32 would be reduced significantly. We estimate that the resulting state administrative cost savings —and ultimately lower fees —could be in the low tens of millions of dollars annually;" and WHEREAS, according to the independent Legislative Analyst, 'The suspension of the proposed cap- and -trade regulations could result in lower energy prices for consumers, including state and local government agencies that are large consumers of energy, than would be the case if AB 32 regulations were allowed to take effect. These lower energy prices, in turn, also would have positive economic impacts on the state ;" and WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore requests that the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Western Riverside Council of Governments adopt similar resolutions of support for Proposition 23; and WHEREAS, the Proposition 23 does not have any impact on existing environmental laws in California. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby endorses the Proposition 23 to temporarily suspend implementation of AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act). PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, this 24 day of August, 2010. MELISSA A. MELENDEZ, MAYOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE Resolution No. 2010 -059 Page 3 of 3 FI STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE I SS CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE I, Carol Cowley, Interim City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby certify that Resolution No. 2010 -059 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held on the 24 day of August 2010, and that the same was adopted by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BUCKLEY, HICKMAN, MAGEE, MAYOR PRO TEM BHUTTA AND MAYOR MELENDEZ NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE INTERIM CITY LERK