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Home My WebLink About8.1 Clean Cars ProgramG~~~ OF Dp~~`2 ~ /// 1`~-~~jZ ~ ~ ~ ~`~LIFOR~~~ STAFF REPORT C I T Y C L E R K DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File #^~ (o^ 0^-^~ ~ DATE: September 21, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni L. Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE : Support for Clean Cars Program and SB 375 to Reduce Vehicle Emissions Prepared By: Roger Bradley, Senior Administrative Analyst EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution in support of the Clean Cars Program and Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) and authorizing the Mayor to send a letter, on behalf of the City Council, to the California Air Resources Board in support of the program and legislation. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: (1) Adopt the Resolution supporting the California Clean Air Resource's Board's Leadership in Developing and Implementing Strategies for Reducing Emissions from Motor Vehicles, and (2) authorize the Mayor to send a letter, on behalf of the City Council, to the California Air Resources Board in support of the Clean Cars Program and Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) regarding regional greenhouse gas reduction targets. _ ..... . _ ._.~.._~ - , ; Submitte~y eviewe Senior Administr tive Analyst Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. ~•~ DESCRIPTION: The State of California is updating three core components of its Clean Cars Program: Vehicle Global Warming Standards (LEV III-GHG); Low Emission Vehicle Program (LEV III-Criteria Pollutant); and Zero Emission Vehicle Program (ZEV). The proposed resolution (Attachment 1) supports the comprehensive updating of the Clean Cars Program, which will promote the manufacture and purchase of clean cars, reduce dependence on foreign oil, save consumers money, reduce air pollution, and support new jobs and investment in California's clean energy economy. The update to the vehicle programs as part of the Clean Cars Program is as follows: • Vehicle Global Warming Standards (LEV III-GHG): This program will make sure new cars and trucks produce fewer emissions that contribute to climate change. The updated rules apply to vehicles starting in 2017. • Low Emission Vehicle Program (LEV III-Criteria Pollutant): This program will ensure that new cars and light trucks produce fewer harmful emissions that contribute to smog and hurt public health. The standards will encourage automakers to electrify transportation as consumers will start to see exciting new options such as plug-in hybrid electric cars, battery electric cars, and cars that use fuel cell technology. The updated rules will apply to vehicles starting in 2015. • Zero Emission Vehicle Program (ZEV): This program will make sure that the newest, gasoline-free, ultra clean vehicle technologies - such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars - are brought to California. The updated rules will apply to vehicles starting in 2015. In addition, regional reduction targets to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from passenger vehicles are being developed by encouraging improved land use and transportation planning as envisioned by Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008). The creation of strong regional goals, coupled with the Clean Cars Programs, will help both the State and California's municipalities reach their goals in reducing GHG emissions. Both the Clean Cars Program and regional reduction targets are important step in assisting the City of Dublin in curtailing GHG emissions. As discovered in the City's 2005 GHG Emissions Inventory, more than half of the City's GHG emissions come from vehicle miles traveled on the portions of the I-580 and I-680 freeways that border the City of Dublin, which is an emissions sector over which the City has no jurisdictional control. Efforts by the State and region to curb emissions within this segment of the community are paramount to reducing the City's GHG emissions and helping the City meet GHG reduction goals. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution supporting the California Air Resource Board's Leadership in Developing and Implementing Strategies for Reducing Emissions from Motor Vehicles 2. Letter in Support of the Clean Cars Program and SB 375 to Reduce California Vehicle Emissions Page 2 of 2 ~ ~~ 3 RESOLUTION NO. XX - 10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ~***~****** SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD'S LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES WHEREAS, California is experiencing a public health crisis due to poor air quality, with over 90% of Californians living in areas that exceed federal health-based ozone standards; and exposure to elevated levels of ozone and other pollutants such as particulate matter annually contributes to hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and premature deaths due to heart and lung disease, and recent research conducted by the RAND Corporation found that hospital care related to elevated pollution levels in California cost nearly $200 million from 2005 to 2007; WHEREAS, higher temperatures resulting from global warming can create conditions that are ideal for the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that causes severe adverse health impacts, including asthma attacks, hospitalizations and even premature deaths, and without significant actions, the State of California faces billions of dollars in public health damages; and WHEREAS, California depends on petroleum for 97 percent of its transportation needs, and motor vehicles are significant emitters of ozone precursors, particulates and air toxics, and the single largest anthropogenic source of greenhouse gas emissions in California; and WHEREAS, California's Clean Fuels Outlet regulation is being updated to ensure that clean fueling infrastructure is sufficiently deployed to support the new vehicle market so that clean fuels like hydrogen are readily available to meet consumer demand for advanced clean vehicles; and WHEREAS, California's Clean Cars (AB 1493: Pavley, 2002), Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) programs reduce petroleum consumption, support new jobs and investments in California's emerging green economy and spur innovation in low and zero emission vehicles; and WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 375 (SB 375: Steinberg, 2008) to encourage integrated land use and transportation planning that supports air quality and public health goals and emphasizes reductions in vehicle miles ~. I ~'-l"7--f Q ATTACHMENT 1 1 / ~ {~~ ~` traveled and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting alternatives to driving, such as practical walking, biking and mass transit options; and WHEREAS, California's history of national leadership is critical to protecting public health, creating a new green economy and spurring action on curtailing greenhouse gas emissions nationally. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin supports the State of California and the California Air Resources Board in its efforts to reduce criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles while also advancing public health, air quality, the environment and the green economy in California. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin encourages the State of California and the California Air Resources Board to establish ambitious regional greenhouse gas reduction targets as envisioned by SB 375 and to work with local governments to incentivize integrated land use and transportation planning that supports air quality and public health goals and emphasizes reductions in vehicle miles traveled through alternatives to driving, such as practical walking, biking and mass transit options. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin urges the State of California and the California Air Resources Board to continue its national and international leadership role in promoting clean vehicle technologies by moving forward quickly to develop and adopt expanded Low Emission Vehicle (LEV III) standards to reduce criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases and to strengthen the State's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and Clean Fuels Outlet (CFO) infrastructure programs to protect the health of California's economy, environment and its people. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of September, 2010, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor 2 ~ ~ ~ .~ ~~r, `~~ \ ;~"', `~-~~ ~~~~~~~ _ ~C/~ I~ITY C)}= ~_ ~t ~ ~~: _i:~ i;~o a~~~ ~i~~~a ~~~~~ ~ ~ : September 21, 2010 Mary Nichols, Chairman California Air Resources Board 1001 I Street Sacramento, CA 95812 Re: Support for Clean Cars Program and SB 375 to Reduce Vehicle Emissions Dear Chairman Nichols: The City of Dublin applauds the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its national leadership in the development of programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from motor vehicles in California. Our state's landmark global warming strategies provide a roadmap for transitioning to a robust, clean economy while also presenting opportunities for significant public health and environmental benefits. Although our state has made progress in combating air pollution over the past 30 years, the fact remains that the vast majority of California residents still breathe unhealthy air and remain at risk for respiratory illnesses and even premature death. Air pollution is particularly harmful to our most vulnerable populations, such as infants and children, the elderly, those living in low income communities or those suffering with chronic illnesses like asthma or heart disease. As transportation sources represent the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, smog and other air pollutants in our state, CARB must remain focused on reducing vehicle emissions. Improving land use planning and ushering in the cleanest vehicles will advance California's fight against air pollution and protect our quality of life. The City of Dublin also urges CARB to develop and adopt the next generation of motor vehicle standards in 2010 by expanding California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV III) program to reduce criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases from new vehicles and to strengthen California's zero emission vehicle (ZEV) program, and to ensure the clean fuels needed to support this program are available to consumers by strengthening the Clean Fuels Outlet regulation. The City of Dublin also supports the adoption of strong regional targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles by encouraging improved land use and transportation planning to reduce vehicle emissions, as envisioned by Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008). The Dublin City Council thanks you for your leadership on global warming and air quality policy and urges you to continue this important work to benefit the health of the people of California for generations to come. Sincerely, Tim Sbranti Mayor cc: Dublin City Council Ar~>a Code (925) • City Manager 833-6650 • City ~;c;ur~cii 833 6650 • Personnel R3: ~ Finance 833-6640 • Public Works/Erigineeriri:~ 83~ 6630 ~ Parks & Cemmunity ~'~'~a~'~meh~ ~ Planning/Code Enforcement 833-661 ~• t?i_ine;rg inspection 83:s 6620 •# C?~ Rt r t t.!c'd r~.:pF'r