HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 131-10 Clean Energy ProgRESOLUTION NO. 131 - 10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO AUTHORIZE LEGISLATION FOR
PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, utility bills represent a major component of operating costs for home and
business owners; and
WHEREAS, persistent unemployment, particularly in the construction industry, continues
to burden families and communities; and
WHEREAS, reliance on fossil fuels continues to threaten public health, the environment,
and our national energy security; and
WHEREAS, residential and commercial buildings consume large quantities of electricity
and are responsible for a significant portion of U.S. annual carbon dioxide emissions; and
WHEREAS, investing in cost-effective energy-efficiency and renewable-energy
improvements to homes and businesses can save energy, cut utility bills, create thousands of
local jobs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
and
WHEREAS, the upfront cost and potentially long payback periods prevent many property
owners from making otherwise cost-effective clean-energy improvements to their homes and
businesses; and
WHEREAS, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs overcame these
obstacles by providing up-front financing, the cost of which is repaid by an assessment lien on
the property; and
WHEREAS, PACE financing programs are an innovative local government solution to
help property owners finance energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements - such as
energy efficient boilers, upgraded insulation, new windows, solar installations, etc. to their
homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, twenty-two states have passed laws enabling local governments to develop
PACE programs; and
WHEREAS, the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy strongly support PACE
and have dedicated $150 million to develop local PACE Programs and issued guidelines to
ensure that PACE Programs meet safety and soundness requirements and adequately protect
both bond buyers and property owners; and
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WHEREAS, despite PACE's great promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on July 6, 2010, issued statements that
immediately forced existing PACE Programs to halt operations and froze the development of
dozens of PACE Programs nationwide.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin calls
on the California congressional delegation to support legislation that clearly guarantees local
governments the right to assess special taxes for clean energy programs and restore the
promise of PACE.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of August, 2010, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Hart, Hildenbrand, Scholz, and Mayor Sbranti
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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City Clerk
Mayor
Reso No. 131-10, Adopted 8-17-10, Item 7.1 Page 2 of 2