Truckee Town Council Resolution

2017-58

Establishing Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission

Reduction Goals

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WHEREAS, the Town of Truckee municipal government is responsible to promote the public health and safety of Truckee residents, including access to clean air, clean water, and a livable environment; and

 

WHEREAS, energy resources we utilize as a municipal government and community significantly impact public health and safety, including the economic and social well-being of current and future residents; and

 

WHEREAS, there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the connection to human activity, especially the combustion of fossil fuels that create greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other toxins, which contribute to a warming climate; and

 

WHEREAS, Truckee and its surrounding area are already feeling the effects of climate change through increased temperatures, changes in water systems, extreme weather events, wildfires, changes in snowpack, and other disruptions that threaten our economy, health, and overall quality of life; and

 

WHEREAS, emissions from electricity generation are the largest component of both the community and municipal GHG inventories for Truckee, making up 44% and 28% of total GHG emissions respectively; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town Council previously adopted Resolution 2017-29, expanding the Town's commitment to climate action planning and implementation and identifying the 2018 General Plan Update as an opportunity to engage the community at large in a public process to address climate actions and policies; and

 

WHEREAS, The Town Council held a public hearing on November 28th, 2017 and accepted oral and written comments from the public and interested parties and considered such comments before taking action, and the Town is committed to additional community engagement on this topic through the General Plan update process and ongoing climate planning activities.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Town Council of the Town of Truckee establishes the following goals related to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions:

 

SECTION 1. Renewable electricity goal: The Town establishes a goal to achieve 100% renewable electricity town wide by 2030 as sourced from eligible renewable energy resources as defined by California Public Utilities Code section 399.12, and allow Town Council at a later date to deem eligible other zero-carbon energy resources not currently defined by California Code. To reach this goal the Town plans to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal facilities by 2020 and engage with and encourage special districts and all users of electricity to shift towards 100% renewable electricity.

 

SECTION 2. Renewable energy goal: The Town will engage all stakeholders and local utility providers to strive for 100% renewable energy by 2050, and may take leading steps as necessary.

 

SECTION 3. GHG emissions reduction goal: The Town establishes a goal to achieve 80% reduction in total community baseline GHG emissions by 2040. This goal will be relative to Truckee's current baseline GHG emissions as set forth in the town's "Community- wide and Municipal Operations 2008 Baseline GHG Emissions Inventories".

 

SECTION 4. Equitable community engagement goal: As part of the 2018 General Plan update there will be a robust community engagement process to establish policies and actions that seek to achieve the goals stated in Sections 1 - 3 above. The Town recognizes such goals have an overarching effect on the community at-large and will employ the Truckee Way to provide equitable access to all segments of the community to ensure that these goals and the specific policies and actions needed to achieve them are discussed openly and that all possible input is considered and addressed.

 

The foregoing resolution was introduced by Council Member Flora, seconded by Council Member Tirman, at a regular meeting of the Truckee Town Council, held on the 28th day of November, 2017, and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Member Tirman, Council Member Flora, Vice Mayor Wallace Dee, and Mayor Goodwin. • NOES: none. ABSENT: Council Member Abrams.