RES NO. 2019-30 RELATING TO CLEAN FUEL STANDARDSRESOLUTION NO. 2019-30
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, urging the adoption of a Clean Fuel Standard, in
order to reduce climate and air pollution by establishing
carbon intensity limits for transportation fuels sold in
Washington, creating local economic development
opportunities by investing in clean, locally produced
transportation fuels.
WHEREAS, Bainbridge Island recognizes the need to preserve a safe, healthy
environment and a stable climate for our children and future generations of
Washingtonians; and
WHEREAS, climate change is the paramount challenge of our generation and has
catastrophic long-term consequences for our economy, environment, and public health
and safety in the City of Bainbridge Island; and
WHEREAS, residents of Bainbridge Island and the state of Washington are already
experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change, including more extreme rainfall
events, increased drought and flood risk, sea level rise, more -frequent heat events, and
smoke from increasingly severe wildfires; and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector is responsible for 46% of Washington's
greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, gasoline and diesel used in transportation are responsible for nearly two-
thirds of the Puget Sound region's air pollution, which health professionals link directly
to asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases, lost workdays, and premature
death; and
WHEREAS, over 600,000 Washingtonians live with asthma and thousands more suffer
from upper respiratory illnesses and diseases caused, in part, by air pollution; and
WHEREAS, approximately 1,100 people die each year in Washington due to air
pollution; and
WHEREAS, people with lower incomes and communities of color disproportionately
face greater risks and pay more for climate impacts and pollution; and
WHEREAS, Bainbridge Island supports policies that provide consumers with affordable,
clean, more efficient, and healthier transportation fuel choices; and
WHEREAS, dependence on a global oil market leads to highly volatile fuel prices, few
clean fuel choices, and costs Washingtonians billions of dollars; and
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WHEREAS, Washington has the 2nd least expensive electricity in the nation and the
greatest opportunity for fuel cost savings from using electricity as a transportation fuel;
and
WHEREAS, Washingtonians spend $9 billion annually on gasoline and diesel, while
many of our locally produced clean fuels are shipped to other states that already have a
Clean Fuel Standard; and
WHEREAS, air pollution results in direct and indirect costs for citizens, businesses and
state health care institutions approaching $190 million each year; and
WHEREAS, a technical analysis commissioned by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
projected savings of up to $45M from avoided mortality from air pollution, and found
that the Puget Sound region would continue to grow by 330,000 jobs by 2030 with a
Clean Fuel Standard; and
WHEREAS, a report commissioned by the Washington Office of Financial Management
projects that a Cleary Fuel Standard in Washington would create up to 15,000 local jobs in
the electrification industry and in the production of clean fuels from the agricultural,
dairy, waste and forestry sectors; and
WHEREAS, Bainbridge Island is planning for smarter land use, making significant
investments in transit, taking steps towards fleet electrification, and supporting green
building requirements; and
WHEREAS, Bainbridge Island and Washington state's climate change goals cannot be
met without significant reductions in carbon emissions from the transportation sector,
which requires regional and state policies to support rapidly replacing gasoline and diesel
with cleaner fuels, such as electricity, biofuels, and renewable natural gas; and
WHEREAS, a Clean Fuel Standard for the Puget Sound region that requires refineries
and fuel importers to achieve a 25% carbon intensity reduction by 2030 will cut
approximately three million tons of carbon pollution annually, and a statewide standard
requiring a 20% reduction by 2035 will cut approximately five million tons of carbon
pollution annually; and
WHEREAS, Oregon, California and British Columbia all have successful Clean Fuel
Standard programs in place today, making Washington the last west -coast jurisdiction
without one; and
WHEREAS, a Clean Fuel Standard is supported by a broad coalition of diverse groups
including public health organizations, cities, counties and local elected officials, large and
small businesses, automobile manufacturers, clean energy businesses, and science and
medical professionals.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council of Bainbridge Island urges the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
and the Washington State Legislature to adopt a Clean Fuel Standard as an essential
component of Bainbridge Island's commitment to reducing harmful air pollution;
protecting Washingtonians' health and the well-being of our children; promoting clean
energy deployment and investing in our local economy; and achieving greenhouse gas
reductions to maintain a stable climate for our future.
PASSED by the City Council this l Ot" day of December, 2019.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 10th day of December, 2019
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
By:
Chris ine Brown, CM`C, y lerl<
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
RESOLUTION NO.
By:
Kol Medina, Mayor
November 22, 2019
December 10, 2019
2019-30
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